Are you up-to-date with who can do an apprenticeship?
Posted: 7 July 2017 at 11:21 am | Author: Laura Morris
Do you know who is eligible to do an apprenticeship? Traditionally apprenticeships are designed for school leavers and whilst this remains a large audience for apprenticeships it is by no means the only one!
To complete an apprenticeship an individual must be aged 16 or over – there is no upper age limit! Many older individuals tend to undertake an apprenticeship either as part of a career change, or to gain recognition for knowledge that they already possess. Some employers even prefer an older apprentice as they may be able to bring greater life experience and skills to the role. The oldest apprentice may well be a 67-year-old former police officer!*
Prior to the apprenticeship reforms, an apprentice had to be working for at least 30 hours per week, however this is now not the case. Since May 2017 apprenticeship rules have changed. This means that someone who is working part-time can still study an apprenticeship, it just means that it may take them proportionately longer to complete it.
Don’t forget, apprenticeships are not just for new recruits either, existing staff are also eligible!
Another key change has been to the eligibility of an apprentice in regards to their previous qualifications. In the past if someone had a level 4, or above, qualification (such as a degree) then they were unable to undertake an apprenticeship. However, recent changes now mean they might now still be able to do the apprenticeship as long as their previous qualification is not in a related subject.
These changes now mean that more people than ever before are able to undertake an apprenticeship, so what are you waiting for? Get in touch on 01480 422060 or email business@caw.ac.uk to find out how you can include apprenticeships as part of your company training.
*Sarah Cole (2017) Is This Britain’s Oldest Apprentice? http://www.aol.co.uk/money/2017/02/07/is-this-britain-s-oldest-apprentice/ (accessed 6th June 2017)