APPRENTICESHIP
GUIDE
TO GET AHEAD you need up-to-date skills and
experience that are VALUED BY EMPLOYERS,
but you don’t need to sit in a classroom all day to get them.
GET A QUALIFICATION
and get paid, an apprenticeship is the ideal option
If you want to learn skills,
for you when you leave school.
NEW TRAINING programmes for exciting,
growing industries such as IT, creative, retail
Plus, with lots of
and rail, there’s never been a better time to
BE AN APPRENTICE.
3
“My apprenticeship has been such a great experience
and has really boosted my skills and confidence.”
Marc Koublan
Apprentice Sous Chef
Love Food
4
Q&A
WHAT IS AN APPRENTICESHIP?
An apprenticeship is a mix of work and training. As an
apprentice, you’ll have a job with an employer where you’ll
work as a member of their team and be trained to do a specific
role by your colleagues or supervisor. You’ll also spend time at
Gateshead College where you’ll receive up to date training that
is relevant to your job and complete set coursework.
Work
Training
Skills
A paid job with an employer.
Time at college studying a
nationally recognised qualification.
Job relevant skills that you
can apply to any role such as
communication and team work.
5
Q&A
Do I get a qualification?
What level will I start at?
Yes. You will receive a qualification that is valued
by employers and is recognised both nationally and
internationally. Usually, the qualifications you’ll receive
will be a Technical Certificate and an NVQ.
As a school leaver you can start on a Level 2 or
Level 3 apprenticeship, depending on your exam results,
experience and the kind of candidate the employer is
looking for.
Are there different
levels of apprenticeship?
What will I get paid?
We offer three levels of apprenticeship training. If your
employer agrees, you can progress from one level to
another.
Level 2 Apprenticeship
Will I get any holidays?
This is the same level as GCSEs.
Yes. You will be entitled to a minimum of 20 days
holiday, plus 8 statutory days such as Bank Holidays.
Level 3 ADVANCED Apprenticeship
What are the entry qualification
requirements?
This is the same level as A levels.
Level 4 HIGHER Apprenticeship
This is the same as a foundation degree.
6
The average salary is £170 per week. Some employers
will pay more than this, some will pay less, but no less
than a set national minimum wage. The salary will be
advertised with the apprenticeship.
For most apprenticeship positions, you need to have
four GCSEs at grades C or above, including maths and
English, or a GNVQ in a related subject. However, a
positive attitude and previous work experience may
also be taken into account.
“My apprenticeship has given me the
chance to get the qualification and the
hands-on experience. I now have that
employment edge employers are looking
for in such a fast paced industry.”
Carly Toal
Assistant Account Executive
The Works Advertising
7
The average
salary for an
apprentice is
A WEEK
1
2
3
c
4
5
6
X
7
8
9
0
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Q&A
I don’t have any qualifications;
can I still do an Apprenticeship?
What can I do after an
Apprenticeship?
At Gateshead College we offer a range of introductory
training courses and pre-apprenticeships which are
designed to give you the skills you need to progress
onto an apprenticeship. For full course information,
see our website www.gateshead.ac.uk or call our
Customer Services Team for information on our
Enrolment Events on 0191 490 2246.
With a CV bursting with work experience and ‘job
ready’ skills, you’ll be ideally placed to secure a job
in your chosen field following an apprenticeship. The
majority of apprentices stay in employment with two
thirds staying with their apprentice employer.
How much time do I spend at
Gateshead College?
This will depend on the type of apprenticeship you
do. For some apprenticeships, you’ll spend four days in
work and one day at Gateshead College. For others, you
might spend several weeks in work, then spend a week
at college.
Or you can progress onto a foundation degree or HND,
many of which can be studied part time so you can
continue to work.
Can I still go to university?
Yes. Some apprenticeships attract UCAS points or lead
to foundation degrees and HND’s which enable you
to progress on to a full honours degree programme at
university.
How long will I be an Apprentice?
It depends upon the type of apprenticeship and can
vary from 12 months to four years.
9
WHAT TYPES OF
APPRENTICESHIPS
ARE THERE?
No longer just for the traditional trades, apprenticeships can be the
starting point for a wide range of exciting careers.
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We offer training in;
Administration
Bricklaying
Building
Maintenance
Cleaning
Services
Community
Arts
Construction
Costume and
Wardrobe
Creative
Industries
Cultural and
Heritage Venues
Customer
Service
Driving Goods
Vehicles
Electrical
Installation
Engineering
General
Engineering
Maintenance
Engineering
Welding and
Fabrication
Hairdressing
Health and
Social Care
Hospitality and
Catering
IT
Joinery
Live Events and
Promotions
Management
Manufacturing
Music
Business
Plastering
Plumbing
and Heating
Rail
Retail
Social Media
and ICT
Sport
Supply Chain
Team Leading
Technical
Theatre
Vehicle Body
Repair and
Paint
Vehicle
Mechanic
Light and Heavy
Warehousing
Storage
Logistics
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“I’ve already learned so much
about the utility industry and
gained lots of new skills in the few
weeks that I’ve been at college; it’s
really interesting and it’s definitely
where I see my future career.”
Josh Larsen
Smart Metering Installation Apprenticeship
G4S
12
15%
MORE
EMPLOYERS THINK QUALIFIED APPRENTICES ARE
15% MORE
EMPLOYABLE
THAN THOSE WITH OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
13
HIRE
EDUCATION
1 IN 5
EMPLOYERS
ARE HIRING
APPRENTICES
14
HIRE
EDUCATION
WHY CHOOSE A
GATESHEAD COLLEGE
APPRENTICESHIP?
Lots of colleges and private training providers offer apprenticeships, but if you choose a
Gateshead College apprenticeship, you’re guaranteed the very best quality of training,
facilities, experience and opportunities.
• Our Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way during your apprenticeship,
making sure you meet assignment deadlines, keep on track with any course work and enjoy your experience.
• We use online learning resources so it’s easy to complete any college work at home.
• We’ve been delivering apprenticeship training for over 50 years – so we know what we’re talking about.
• More than 400 businesses across the region come to us to find their next apprentice.
• Leading North East businesses such as Nissan, Gateshead Football Club,
Helen McArdle Care, Nexus and Aldi trust us to train their apprentices.
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BALTIC CAMPUS
SKILLS ACADEMY FOR CONSTRUCTION
WORLD CLASS
ACADEMIES
Our apprentices train in one of our £75 million world-class academies, packed full of
industry standard facilities which are some of the best in the UK.
ACADEMY FOR
SPORT
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Skills Academy for Automotive,
Engineering and Manufacturing
Skills Academy for Sustainable
Manufacturing and Innovation
BALTIC CAMPUS
GATESHEAD QUAYS
• Training kitchens
• Two restaurants; Greenhouse Brasserie and Enfields
• Baltic Salon & Spa
• A 200-seat performance theatre
• Music recording studios
• Modern, well-equipped classrooms with integrated IT
• A two-tier library and spacious work areas
• ICT Suite
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SKILLS ACADEMY
FOR CONSTRUCTION
TEAM VALLEY,
GATESHEAD
• 3,000sqm of workshop space
• Modern and well equipped classrooms
• Dedicated industry standard
work areas for trades
including bricklaying,
carpentry and joinery,
painting and decorating, plastering and plumbing
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Skills Academy
for Automotive,
Engineering and
Manufacturing
TEAM VALLEY,
GATESHEAD
• Electrical and electronics workshops
• Dedicated welding workshop
• Vehicle damage assessment areas
• Dedicated welding workshop
• Body and paint practices
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ACADEMY FOR
SPORT
NEILSON ROAD,
GATESHEAD
• The latest training and assessment equipment
• Sports science and medicine facilities
• A performance lab
• An aerobics studio
• An 83m indoor athletics hall
• 3G artificial and grass pitches
• A floodlit throwing area
• A learning resource centre
• Combat Suite
Also on campus is an Olympic
standard gym, giving you
access to top-of-the-range
equipment, including;
• Weight lifting platforms
• Ice and contrast baths
• Open and closed chain machines
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Skills Academy
for Sustainable
Manufacturing
and Innovation
WASHINGTON
• Located opposite Nissan’s Sunderland plant
• Modern, well-equipped classrooms with integrated IT
• Workshop space for
production line, warehousing,
robotics, hydraulics and pneumatics training
• Outdoor vehicle testing track
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ONE THIRD
OF APPRENTICES
RECEIVE A PROMOTION
WITHIN 12 MONTHS
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‘’The facilities at the
Construction Academy are
great. The apprenticeship
training doesn’t just teach
you hand skills, it helped
me with my organisation
and time keeping as well.”
Chris Wilson
Apprentice Bricklayer
Persimmon Homes
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HOW TO APPLY
ancy
rg.uk
1. Search for a vac
d.ac.uk and www.apprenticeships.o
enticeship vacancies at www.gateshea
You can find our appr
2.Register online
Apprenticeship Service at
personal account online with the National
You’ll need to create a
need an email address to do this.
www.apprenticeships.org.uk. You’ll
lication form
and
3. Complete the app
advert as a guide and include all the skills
ication form as best you can. Use the job
Complete the online appl
t to add your most recent the employer is looking for. Don’t forge
experience you have that matches what
tional skills.
qualifications such as GCSE grades or func
ion
rience
4. Interview Select
a chat with you about your skills and expe
tlisted, our Apprenticeship Team will have
If your application is shor
the position, they’ll recommend you
apprentice. If they think you’re right for
and why you think you’d make a good
eship Team can talk to you application isn’t shortlisted, our Apprentic
for an interview with the employer. If your
about your other options.
ching
ful 5.Interview Coaneve
enticeship Team will give you lots of help
r been to a job interview before. Our Appr
Don’t worry if you’ve
tips and advice.
iew
e and any 6.Attend an interv
to know all about your skills, experienc
view with the employer who will want
You will attend an inter
qualifications you may have.
7.You’re hired
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enticeship Team will help you
the position. But if you’re not, our Appr
Hopefully you’ll be successful in securing
e.
futur
will help you get a position in the
look for another position or training that
to “Apprenticeships give you the chance to
study for qualifications that are valued
by employers and you earn a wage at the
same time. I really would recommend
them to any young person who is not
sure which career option to take.”
Alex Fife
Trainee Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship
Nissan
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All our campuses are easy to get to by public transport or car.
For full travel information visit www.gateshead.ac.uk
BUS
Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Baltic
Tyne Bridge
Q1 Quaylink from Newcastle
Central Station
93/94 Loop from Gateshead/
Heworth Interchange
Sage
Gateshead
E
AT
Q
A1
EA
67
ST
RY
F
IE
RO
AD
Gateshead
Stadium
A184
PARK
LANE
D
HEA
84
A1
Gateshead
Free parking available
Academy
for Sport
Footbridge
A184
FELLIN
G BY PA
SS
B129
A16
6O
7D
LD D
URH
UR
AM
HA
ROA
MR
D
OA
D
Felling
Heworth
Angel of
The North
A1(M)
A1(M)
)
A1(M
A1(
M)
A69
REDE STREET
)
Dunston
84
6
42
B1
Gateshead
Gateshead
Stadium
WESTERN AVENUE
CAR
EIGHTH AVENUE
A1(M)
TENTH AVENUE
THIRD AVENUE
FIFTH AVENUE
EASTERN AVENUE
EARLSWAY
Skills
Academy for
Construction
SIXTH AVE
KINGSWAY SOUTH
Free parking available
Team Valley
Trading
Estate
FOURTH AVENUE
84
AD
RHAM RO
A167 DU
BUS
A1
)
A1
QUEENSWAY NORTH
A1
(M
93/94 Loop from Gateshead/
Heworth Interchange
84
A1
EARLSWAY
MetroCentre
A1(M
KINGSWAY
Eighth Avenue, Kingsway South,
Team Valley, Gateshead NE11 0JL.
Gateshead
A1(M)
Skills Academy for Construction
Gateshead Interchange,
take 93/94 Loop bus
KINGSWAY NORTH
Skills Academy for Automotive,
Engineering, Manufacturing
and Logistics
Skills Academy
for Automotive
Manufacturing,
Engineering and Logistics
NINTH AVENUE
For timetables and ticket information visit: www.nexus.org.uk www.simplygo.com www.valleylinks.org.uk
26
M)
A1(
Team Valley Campus
Kingsway South, Team Valley,
Gateshead, NE11 0SU.
A184
FELLIN
G BY PA
SS
Gateshead
Stadium
Gateshead
Civic Centre
CAR
ES RD
84
A1
ST JAM
A167
A1
84
BUS
93/94 Loop from Gateshead/
Heworth Interchange
AY
IGHW
AD H
ESHE
GAT
Neilson Road,
Gateshead NE10 0EF.
Gateshead
Stadium
NEILS
ON
Gateshead Stadium,
10 min walk
A19
4(M
)
Academy for Sport
ROAD
T ST
WES
ET
AY
HW
HIG
STRE
REET
ER ST
HOPP
EET
STR
Gateshead
S
ATE
7G
A18
4
A16
LES
AR
CH
HIGH
84
A1
84
A1
REET
RD
HIGH
SHAM
BEN
ST
SON
JACK
ET
Interchange
ER ST
HOPP
REET
STRE
W
KE
AS Gateshead
T ST
84
A1
WES
AD
RO
LD
ST
HIGH
Pay & display multi storey
UA
R
ST
LAM
car park
ROAD
Baltic
Campus
LG
EL
W
Hilton
Newcastle
Gateshead
N
BTO
CAR
KS
W
HA
K
OA
Quarryfield Road,
Baltic Business Quarter,
Gateshead NE8 3BE.
Gateshead Interchange,
8 min walk
MIL
L RO
AD
Baltic Campus