WorkPlus

An apprenticeship is a job with training built–in. It’s a great way to develop new talent. Through on–the–job and off–the–job learning, an apprentice is considered a full–time employee and earns a good wage, whilst avoiding student debt (government pays their student fees).

No – if eligibility requirements are met, the apprenticeship is fully funded by government. Therefore, you won’t need to take out a student loan or rack up a pile of debt. What’s even better is you get paid by the employer to do the apprenticeship! 

Based on previous campaigns, here is a rough guide of what employers might choose to pay their apprentices:

• Level 2, £13,000

• Level 3, £15,000

• Level 4, £16,500

• Level 5, £18,000

• Level 6, £19,000

• Level 7, £21,000

Salaries are at the employer’s discretion. During our application campaigns, employers state the salary for that particular job role.

A Workplus apprentice, Emma, once told us: “I don’t feel like I’m missing out on going to university full–time, the experience means more at the end of the day”.

Full–time student life is hard – going to only a few hours of lectures each week, sleeping in, motivating yourself to go to the library, trying not to procrastinate and working a part–time job. It lacks structure and routine, and comes with many challenges. As an apprentice, you are motivated to learn while experiencing the workplace reality. You’re able to get up at the same time each day, have a good routine, make an impact at work, and then you’re ready to switch–off at the weekends. As another apprentice, Gina, said: “It’s set me up for life.”

An apprenticeship is a job with training built–in. It’s a great way to develop new talent. Through on–the–job and off–the–job learning, an apprentice is considered a full–time employee and earns a good wage, whilst avoiding student debt (government pays their student fees).

No – if eligibility requirements are met, the apprenticeship is fully funded by government. Therefore, you won’t need to take out a student loan or rack up a pile of debt. What’s even better is you get paid by the employer to do the apprenticeship! 

If you have a disability or a long–term health condition, you can access support from Disability Action to help you with your application.

To have a conversation about the support you can receive, email heatherlogan@disabilityaction.org or MichaelMoore@disabilityaction.org.

Alternatively, you can speak to either by calling 028 9029 7880.

We advise that you do this as soon as possible – we recommend contacting Disability Action at least 4 days before you submit your Workplus application to allow sufficient time for support.

Disability Action will aim to respond to your contact within two working days.

*NB: Disability Action is not able to advise on the content of your application.

To be an apprentice, you must have:

• a job position (on–the–job learning); and

• a place on the training provider’s course (off–the–job learning).

You can apply for the apprenticeship job through Workplus (during the Workplus application campaigns – see website for dates and deadlines) and you must also apply separately to the specific training course, usually through the training provider’s own website. We recommend doing both of these applications in parallel (i.e. around January/February time), unless you are applying to Ulster University (only apply to their apprenticeship courses once you have a job offer). It is the applicant’s responsibility to apply to and get a place on the training course.

Typically apprentices attend college or university one day per week but the Government covers the cost of the education. During the course of an apprenticeship, there will be work–based learning modules to be completed, including a project and reports. Employers will need to work closely with the college and university assessors to help the apprentice with this work, with mentors giving time and support to facilitate success. At the discretion of the employer, apprentices may be working towards a professional qualification. This will often require mentoring, so employers should ensure that they discuss with the relevant professional body.