Apprenticeships

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships let you combine practical training in a job with studying. As an apprentice, you will:

• Be an employee who earns a wage and gets holiday pay and other employee benefits
• Work with experienced staff
• Gain specific skills for your job
• Get protected time for studying and training during your normal working week.

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Anyone over 18 can apply for an apprenticeship at the University of Greenwich. This includes existing employees.

To be eligible, you must:

• Need the knowledge, skills and behaviours the programme will provide for your role
• Meet the academic entry requirements for your chosen programme and the eligibility requirements set out in the education and skills funding rules
• Have an employment contract that covers the whole programme, including the end-point assessment
• Not be in full-time education when the apprenticeship starts
• Have the right to live and work in the UK.

Can existing employees apply for an apprenticeship?

Yes, and the application procedure is the same. For more information, see ‘Who can apply for an apprenticeship?’ (see the FAQ above).

How do employees apply for an apprenticeship?

Ask your employer if they will support your career progression and tell them to contact us for more information. Or you can search for existing apprenticeships if you do not have a current employer.

If you are an employee looking to upskill and take on a new challenge, please discuss the courses available with your employer. Then ask them to email us at apprenticeships@greenwich.ac.uk.

You can also contact us to discuss your individual apprenticeship needs.

Does an apprenticeship come with a qualification?

The apprenticeship itself is a vocational qualification, and you will receive an apprenticeship certificate issued by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

All degree apprenticeships also come with an academic qualification. This is set out in the apprenticeship standard and will be issued by the university you are studying at.

With all other apprenticeships there may be an option to be awarded an academic or professional qualification on successful completion of your end-point assessment. This will depend on the apprenticeship programme and the training provider used.

What is the difference between an apprenticeship and a degree apprenticeship?

A degree apprenticeship has a mandatory undergraduate or postgraduate qualification embedded within the apprenticeship standard.

Different levels of apprenticeship

There are four types of apprenticeship: Intermediate, Advanced, Higher and Degree:

Intermediate

Level 2; Equivalent education level - GCSE.

Advanced

Level 3; Equivalent education level - A-Level.

Higher

Level 4, 5, 6   and 7; Equivalent education level - Foundation degree and above.

Degree

Level 6 and 7; Equivalent education level - Bachelor’s  or Master’s degree.

What can a learner study at the University of Greenwich?

Learners can choose from a range of apprenticeships.

All of our available programmes are listed on this page, above this FAQ section.

What is the Apprenticeship Levy?

The UK government initiated the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017. It’s for all employers who pay an annual wage bill of over £3 million. These employers must pay 0.5% of their payroll each month as a levy tax. This payment can only be used to pay for training apprentices.

Sometimes, employers pay into the levy but their funds do not cover the full apprenticeship training costs. In these cases, they can get extra support up to a set level. The government will pay 95% of the additional costs, and the employer will ‘co-invest’ 5%.

Can employers who do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy get funding?

Yes. There is government funding available for organisations that do not pay the levy. However, these employers may be required to co-invest 5% of the levy cost.

What are your responsibilities as an employer?

You are responsible for:

• Providing the apprentice with a genuine job
• Making sure they work with experienced staff
• Allocating them a workplace mentor
• Ensuring they learn job-specific skills
• Giving them protected off-the-job training during their normal working hours and paying them for it
• Making sure they can access all aspects of the apprenticeship standard they are studying
• Attending the 12 weekly Progress Reviews
• Engaging with the training provider on your apprentice’s progress throughout the programme.

What are apprenticeship standards?

Apprenticeship standards:

• Are created by employers and the industry
• Shape the structure of the apprenticeship
• Set out the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) apprentices require
• Are specific for each job role
• Lay out the end-point assessment plan.

What is an initial assessment?

Before an apprentice can start their apprenticeship, the university must assess their prior experience and learning. This helps us make sure that:

• They are eligible
• It is the right programme for them
• If necessary, we can tailor the programme to meet their needs and the needs of their employer.

What are KSBs? (knowledge skills and behaviours)

KSBs stand for ‘knowledge skills and behaviours’. These are the core competencies that an apprentice needs to do their job. They can be found in the apprenticeship standard. KSBs are assessed as part of the apprentice’s end-point assessment.

What is an end-point assessment?

All apprentices must complete an independent end-point assessment. This will show:

• What the apprentice has learned
• That they have the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) they need to do their job
• That this is the final assessment of the apprenticeship, which must be passed for successful completion.

What is off-the-job training?

Off-the-job training is protected learning time that employers give learners during their normal working hours. It is an essential part of apprenticeships.

This training must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship standard and must be new learning. It should also help learners achieve the apprenticeship’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. It can be delivered in the classroom or workplace through a variety of activities, such as mentoring, shadowing and industry visits.

Do apprentices need employment contracts?

Yes. Every apprentice must have an employment contract. It must cover the entire duration of the programme, including the end-point assessment. Learners who are not already employed before applying for an apprenticeship programme can apply directly with the employer for an apprenticeship. The employer will then issue the learner with an apprenticeship training contract.

Can SMEs employ apprentices?

Yes. Organisations of any size can employ an apprentice.

How does the University of Greenwich support learners?

We will give you:

• Structured teaching throughout your programme
• Academic support and access to libraries and relevant training facilities
• Your own skills coach, who will help you recognise where you have developed the KSBs, work with you on your portfolio of evidence, and support you through the end-point assessment.

Are apprentices considered full-time students?

No. Apprentices are full-time employees of their organisation. However, they can access most of the services full-time students can.

Can apprentices apply for extra financial support?

No. They cannot apply for extra financial support from either government or university hardship funds.

Are apprentices entitled to university accommodation?

No, there is no entitlement to accommodation.

Do apprentices attend graduation ceremonies?

Yes. Apprentices will be invited to the relevant award ceremony.

Do apprentices have to pay back the programme costs?

No. Their employers fund the programme costs through the Apprenticeship Levy. However, this does not cover travel, accommodation or living costs.

Can someone with learning needs do an apprenticeship?

Yes. There is a lot of university and government support available. This helps apprentices with special needs engage with and complete their apprenticeships.

What are the advantages of doing an apprenticeship versus a traditional degree?

• You earn while you learn
• There’s a strong possibility your employer will keep you on if you’re on an apprenticeship contract
• You put learning into practice
• There are no tuition fees
• You increase your skill set
• You gain confidence.