Apprenticeship Levels
Intermediate Level Apprenticeship
An Intermediate Level Apprenticeship is a framework of qualifications consisting of an NVQ Level 2, relevant Key Skills and a technical certificate, where appropriate. An Intermediate Level Apprenticeship is generally the starting point for most young people. Achievement of the Intermediate Level Apprenticeship enables progression onto an Advanced Level Apprenticeship which develops and assesses the technical and supervisory skills in the industry. How long you take to complete your Intermediate Level Apprenticeship depends on you, the employer and the progress you make. Usually it takes about 12-15 months.
Most Apprentices are employed on an Employer Led Apprenticeship when they commence an Intermediate Level Apprenticeship, however, if employment is not immediately available, you could commence a Programme Led Apprenticeship.
As a Programme Led Apprentice (PLA) you will undertake job skills, transferable skills and competence training and practice in an off-the-job setting prior to you moving into employment onto an Employer Led Apprenticeship. On a Programme Led Apprenticeship you can acquire the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills that will be required for successful completion of the full Apprenticeship framework.
Advanced Level Apprenticeship
An Advanced Level Apprenticeship is a framework of qualifications consisting of an NVQ Level 3, Key Skills and a technical certificate. Usually young people on an Advanced Apprenticeship are in a supervisory or technical job role, therefore only in certain occupational areas are you able to start on an Advanced Apprenticeship without achieving the Apprenticeship first, regardless of prior achievement of qualifications.
Achievement of the Advanced Level Apprenticeship enables progression onto higher level qualifications or degrees.
As with Intermediate Level Apprenticeships, the length of time it takes to complete your Advanced Level Apprenticeship depends on you, the employer and the progress you make. Dependant on the occupational area, an Advanced Level Apprenticeship can take between 18 months to 4 years.
All Apprentices are employed when they commence an Advanced Level Apprenticeship.
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Higher Apprenticeships work towards work-based learning qualifications such as NVQ Level 4 and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation degree.
If you think you are unable (for whatever reason) to begin an Apprenticeship then Foundation Learning could be for you. For more information on Foundation Learning click here.
