Our Guarantee
In all our courses, our pass rates are over 95% - first time! So you can be very confident you’ll achieve. But in the unlikely event you do fail a course, as long as you have completed the theory and practical training parts to your tutor's satisfaction, you can retake the course free of charge. Click here to see our pass rates for 2007/8.
Help with paying
We offer easy payment terms on all our courses and assessments and we can help you find competitive loans too. Some training also qualifies for government funded grants and subsidies. Read more »
How Much Will I Earn?
Achieving an Apprenticeship adds thousands of pounds to your earning potential. In fact it compares favourably with having a degree!
As an apprentice you must be paid at least £80 per week as this is a condition for employers offering Apprenticeships. You may be paid more than this and the amount will depend upon the sector you work in, your age and what stage of your Apprenticeship you are at, and of course, just like any other employee, you'll have to pay tax on your wages.
In 2005 the DfES surveyed employers to find out what wages they are paying. The average wage across all sectors for apprentices was £137 per week with the highest wages being paid in the electrotechnical sector, averaging £187 per week. You can also expect your wages to rise as you progress on your Apprenticeship in line with the skills and experience you have gained. What we do know is that achieving an apprenticeship adds thousands of pounds to your earning potential. The University of Sheffield carried out research among apprentices who had finished to assess the value of an Apprenticeship over their career. They calculated the value to the individual of an advanced apprenticeship at an average of £105,000 and an apprenticeship of £73,001. These figures compare favourably with those of a degree.
If you’re keen on getting a better idea of how much you’ll get paid, why not take a look at job ads for similar work in your local newspaper or job listings on the web to get a rough idea? But remember: if you’re starting out with little or no skills, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll get the full amount seen in a job ad.
Depending on the type of Apprenticeship, you may also be able to get a small amount of funding to help with travel or childcare costs. You may also be eligible to apply for certain benefits if you’re on a low income or have children to care for.
Like all employees, you will receive at least 20 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays). Your individual entitlement will be detailed in your terms of employment or training agreement. Just like any other job, your employer will have rules about how far in advance holidays need to be booked and specific times when holiday cannot be taken. In addition you may also be able to take some time off for study leave, this is down to the individual employer.
