If you’re looking to start an apprenticeship, our Apprenticeship Team are on hand to support with:
- Information about apprenticeships
- Live apprenticeship vacancies
- Apprenticeship Talent Pool
- Application support
- Apprenticeship employment advice & guidance
- Signposting and referrals to other services where required
Our Apprenticeship Team can be contacted by phone on 01206 712043 or email ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk
Current students may also visit B202b (Colchester Campus) to speak to a member of the team in person, the office openings hours are: Monday to Thursday from 8:30am – 5:00pm and Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm.
If you are not a current Colchester Institute student but wish to speak to someone in person this must be arranged in advance, please contact us by phone or email to arrange an appointment.
If you’ve not got an employer to support you with an apprenticeship, take a look at our advice about finding apprenticeship employment.
General FAQs
An apprenticeship is a job, with formal training. Apprenticeships give you a chance to work towards a fully funded course, from Level 2 (GCSE level) to a university degree, whilst getting real work experience. If you’re motivated to work and know what career you’d like to pursue, an apprenticeship could be a great place to start. You’ll earn a wage, you’ll learn from people working within the industry, and gain the in-demand skills of your chosen industry to a standard set by employers within the sector.
- Start earning money – an apprenticeship wage may start out low, but apprenticeships can increase your earning potential in the long run. As your skills develop and you become increasingly valuable to your employer, there can be potential for your salary to increase.
- Practical on-the-job learning – if you prefer learning through hands-on experience and don’t want to spend most of your time in a classroom then an apprenticeship might be for you.
- No student loans or student debt – apprenticeships are always government/employer funded, so there’s no cost to the apprentice.
- Gain skills – learn industry specific skills and transferable skills.
- Complete nationally recognised standards or qualifications.
- Network and build contacts.
Attendance:
On an apprenticeship you would typically spend one day per week studying. This may be through a day release for college classes, or via remote or hybrid delivery with less or even no college attendance for some courses. On a full-time study programme you would be spending 2-3 days per week attending college classes.
Employment:
An apprenticeship combines work and study. You complete a real job and while receiving off-the-job training. You must be employed in a relevant job role that allows you to carry out the activities you’re learning about on the course. Apprentices usually work 30 to 40 hours a week.
On a full-time study programme students do not need relevant employment but may take up part-time work around their course commitments if they choose to. Some full-time study programmes may involve work placements, but this will vary depending on the course.
Learning experience:
Both options will teach you a range of skills and allow you to gain knowledge that employers are looking for. On an apprenticeship, you will be learning in real working environments and have to overcome real problems. You’ll learn from professionals at college and work, usually interacting with a wider variety of people, meeting colleagues and customers of different backgrounds. On a full-time study programme you’ll learn in a more controlled environment at college. You can still gain meaningful experience and get a feel for what working in your chosen industry will be like. This can be particularly helpful if you’re not entirely sure which sector you’d like to go into. We work closely with local businesses to ensure that our teaching support the development of knowledge and skills required in industry.
Which is better for me?
Whether an apprenticeship or full-time study programme is the best route for you will depend on many things, including your preferred learning style, chosen career, whether you’re ready to make the jump into work, and whether the right apprenticeship opportunity is available. Apprenticeships are competitive so if you can’t find an apprenticeship opportunity right away then achieving a qualification via a full-time study programme can help you stand out next time.
Apprenticeship course fees are funded by the government and/or employer. Apprentices are not required to cover any of the fees payable for the apprenticeship.
As of April 1st 2025 the national minimum wage for apprentices is £7.55 an hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the apprenticeship. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. Apprentices must be paid at least the national minimum wage for their age if they’re an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed their first year.
You may find that you’re initially paid a minimum wage, however, as your skills and knowledge grow and you become more valuable to your employer, this will often be reflected in your wage. Employers are free to pay above the minimum wage and many do so.
Apprentices usually study for around one day a week. Depending on the course some apprenticeship programmes will require you to attend college on day release, while other apprentices do not attend college and instead complete learning in the workplace or through our online platforms. Your employer will be required to allocate study time within your paid working hours.
Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers. You must be at least 16 years old and have completed your final year of secondary school, but there is no upper age limit. If you want to upskill or retrain at later stages of your career or education, an apprenticeship could be the perfect opportunity for this.
If you start an apprenticeship whilst aged 16-18 and don’t have GCSE grades 4/Cs (or equivalents) in maths or English, you will be required to take Functional Skills course as part of your apprenticeship. If you are 19 or over, you may not be required to retake maths and English if agreed by your employer.
Course entry requirements apply to applicants of all ages with maths and English being required for some courses, particularly at Level 3 or above. If the apprenticeship you choose to apply for requires GCSE grades 4/Cs in maths and English you must have these before joining the course.
Apprenticeships are available from intermediate (level 2) to degree level (level 6/7).
- Level 2: GCSE (Intermediate)
- Level 3: A Level (Advanced)
- Level 4, 5, 6 and 7: Foundation degree and above (Higher)
- Level 6 and 7: Bachelor’s or master’s degree (Degree)
For some apprenticeships you may need to start at Level 2, regardless of your previous qualifications, to learn the basic skills before you can progress. Other apprenticeships will allow you to go straight in at a higher level, providing you have appropriate qualifications and are in a job role that covers the apprenticeship criteria. Higher level apprenticeships often involve greater responsibility or more senior positions not just a higher level of academic ability.
If you are considering going to university in the future, you can now earn UCAS points on Level 3 Apprenticeships. UCAS points are used as part of university entry requirements, and meeting a certain point threshold is often required to be considered for a higher education course or degree. UCAS points for apprenticeships are calculated based on the course duration.
- 36 months: 112 Tariff Points
- 24 months: 96 Tariff Points
- 18 months: 64 Tariff Points
- 12 months: 48 Tariff Points
How to find employment?
You can find details of our apprenticeship vacancies by visiting our website for the latest opportunities: www.colchester.ac.uk/apprenticeships/vacancies/
You can also search the Find an Apprenticeship website: www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/. Create an account and set up alerts to get notifications about new vacancies.
Vacancies become available at different times throughout the year, but some will be for immediate starts while others will be for starts in September. The possible start date is displayed on each vacancy, so do check this before applying, to see if it is suitable for you to apply.
If you are currently in school, you can apply for vacancies which display a September start date as soon as they become available. Vacancies with start dates before July would not be suitable for those who are still in school. As we progress through the academic year there will be more vacancies suitable for school leavers.
If you apply to a vacancy that is listed on our website, the applications are initially managed by us. We then share applications with the employers once we have checked that you are suitable for the apprenticeship programme and meet any criteria requested by the employer. When they receive your application, each employer conducts their own screening and interview processes. The employer will then decide who they want to hire for the position.
Vacancies may not be available for all apprenticeship choices, as they are dependent on employer demand. They can be in a variety of locations and may have different requirements depending on the employer’s needs. Read each advert carefully before applying.
Companies in the construction and motor vehicle industries are less likely to actively advertise positions. They will often conduct their apprenticeship recruitment informally, without our involvement, so there will be fewer vacancies in these areas.
Yes! You can apply to as many vacancies as you want – as this will increase your chances of being successful!
When applying to Colchester Institute for an apprenticeship, your apprenticeship application will be be added to our Apprenticeship Talent Pool (providing you meet the course entry criteria). As a part of our Apprenticeship Talent Pool, we will keep you up to date about any apprenticeship vacancies that become available with employers we are working with.
To increase your chances of success, we also recommend proactively contacting employers in your local area to ask if they would consider taking you on as an apprentice. We would encourage you to carry out your own research into companies you could approach and contact. This could include;
- Asking family and friends if they know of any companies in the industry you’re looking to do an apprenticeship in. Sometimes apprenticeships are not widely advertised, and word-of-mouth or internal referrals can help. Let friends, family, and professional connections know you’re looking for opportunities.
- Using online searches to find local companies you may want to work for. This could include: Company websites, Job sites such as Indeed, Social media or Online directories e.g. Check A Trade or Care Quality Commission.
Send your CV to companies you find, along with a covering email/letter explaining that you are looking for employment as an apprentice. If a company has questions about how apprenticeships work or what is required of their business, you are welcome to direct them to us and we can speak with them about what’s involved in taking on an apprentice.
Visit us in February or June to meet employers we are working with. More information will be available in the run-up to these events on: www.colchester.ac.uk/events
Apprenticeships – Interview Preparation
What is a CV?
A CV is a document which outlines your educational background, work experience, skills, achievements, and other professional qualifications. You use it to show a prospective employer what you can bring to their company and why they should hire you. Your CV is your chance to make a good first impression and it may determine whether you are considered for an opportunity. You will often need a CV for apprenticeship applications.
What sections should be included?
A CV usually contains the following sections:
- Personal Details – Your name and contact details should be the first things on your CV.
- Personal Profile – This section is a short paragraph or a few sentences which sums up who you are, what you have done and what you may be looking for. This is your chance to really sell yourself to the employer and tell them how your skills, experience and interests can benefit them.
- Education – This section details your qualifications and what you have achieved in your education (including any current studies).
- Employment History/Work Experience – This section outlines your work history, the jobs you have had and the dates when you had them, as well as a brief description of your duties. Provide details of all the work you have done, including part-time work, work experience and voluntary work.
- Skills and Achievements – This section is where you might highlight relevant skills you have. These could be specifically related to the apprenticeship you are applying for or transferable skills, like communication and teamwork.
- Hobbies and Interests (optional) – This section can show an employer your hobbies and interests, as well as any clubs or activities you are involved with. If you do not have work experience, this section can be an important part of your CV, as you can use it to show that you are passionate about a certain area or that you undertake activities in your free time that contribute to your transferable skills.
What should a CV look like?
The layout of a CV can vary, as long as it presents your information clearly and efficiently. You do not need a fancy format. Employers are looking for CVs that are clear, concise and easy to read, especially when they have many CVs to look through. They are looking for ones that stand-out and give them the information they are looking for without the need to search. Doing this well shows that you are professional, have good attention to detail and can communicate effectively.
Try to keep your CV to a maximum of two sides of A4. Make sure it is easily navigable with digestible chunks of information.
What not to include
Your age, date of birth, nationality, National Insurance Number, marital status and primary school are not required on your CV. References do not need to be included on a CV, as an employer will usually ask you for this information later on.
Tips for CV writing
- Make sure you use the same fonts and sizing throughout.
- Always check spelling, punctuation, and grammar. This is an employer’s first impression of your literacy and IT skills, so ensure you are making a good impression.
- Make sure you and/or someone else proofreads your CV.
- Amending your CV when applying for different roles or companies can give you a better chance of success.
- Save the document title to a clearly identifiable name e.g. the document should be called ‘John Smith CV’.
- Save your CV as word document or PDF where possible.
How to prepare
The key to interview success is preparation. Spend some time looking at the company, the job, the apprenticeship, and yourself before your interview.
- Check the company website or social media pages to make sure you know what the company’s products, services and aims are.
- Read the job description carefully to make sure you know what skills and qualities the employer is looking for.
- Check the course details on the Colchester Institute website.
- Make sure you are up to date with the developments in this employment sector.
- Think of examples you can use to demonstrate your skills and abilities. Try putting yourself in the interviewer’s position – what would you look for in applicants applying for this job?
Questions you might be asked
During an interview you will be asked a variety of questions. Below are some examples of questions you could be asked:
Questions about your background
- Tell me about yourself
- Talk me through your CV
- What skills do you have that you feel are relevant to this role?
- What are your weaknesses and what steps have you taken to address them?
Questions about to your behaviours (i.e. how you approach tasks)
- Describe a time when you have solved a problem.
- Describe a time when you have worked effectively as part of a team.
- How do you organise your work under time constraints?
- How would you handle a situation where you don’t understand a task that’s been set.
Questions about your reasons for applying, overall motivations, and career ambitions
- Why have you applied for this role?
- What are your career ambitions or goals for the future?
- How do you think this apprenticeship will benefit your career?
- Why have you chosen a career in this industry?
After an interview try to reflect on some of the harder questions you were asked and how you could have improved your answers – this can help you to prepare for future interviews.
How to answer questions
- Listen carefully to the questions being asked. If you don’t understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify the question.
- Take a moment to think before answering.
- Try to give a clear answer supported by relevant evidence – try the STAR method when explaining your examples (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Avoid simply answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’, try to expand on your answers and give examples which are relevant to the job and put you in a positive light.
Questions to ask the interviewer
Think of some questions you would like to ask the interviewer. The questions you ask can show an interviewer how prepared and interested you are so try to have some questions ready. Questions you could ask:
- What will my normal working day look like?
- What are the long-term prospects for apprentices within the company?
- What motivated the company to hire apprentices?
- What do you (the interviewer) enjoy most about working for the company?
Avoid asking questions relating to basic information that would have been covered in the job advert.
How to make a good impression
Research shows that first impressions count!
- Make sure you arrive on time – check out how long your journey will take in advance.
- Shake hands with the interviewer(s) at the beginning and end of your interview.
- Good posture and a friendly expression will indicate a positive attitude.
- Maintain good eye contact. If you have more than one interviewer, make sure you look at both interviewers when answering the questions.
- Try to smile from time to time where appropriate.
- Speak clearly and try not to speak too fast.
- Be polite and let the interviewer take the lead.
- Be mindful of your body language.
- Be calm, confident and be yourself.
- Dress appropriately – it is important to look clean and smart, but you also need to feel comfortable to be able to relax.
Apprenticeships – Parent’s FAQ
As a parent, you want the best for your children and that often means helping them to make the right decisions regarding their future (including what to do after school/college). There are a lot of options for young people and with such a competitive job market, an apprenticeship could be the right answer to ensure your child secures a career well-suited to their specific wants/needs.
Colchester Institute is the largest college provider of apprenticeships in Greater Essex and can boast achievement rates higher than national averages. This section aims to provide answers to some of the most commonly asked questions we get from parents and carers about apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships give your child the chance to work towards a fully paid qualification from Level 3 (A level equivalent) to a university degree whilst training for a high skilled job. Plans to introduce more Higher Apprenticeship routes will provide learners with a real choice between work-based and traditional degree education.
The Facts
- The apprenticeship is designed by employers giving apprentices the skills directly relevant to the job role
- Apprentices study for around one day a week, or in a block. Some apprentices do not attend college and complete learning through our online platforms
- Courses can last from 1 year to 6 years if completing a degree apprenticeship
- All tuitions fees are paid by the government and the employer
- Apprentices are becoming the future leaders
- Employers are looking for initiative and enthusiasm as well as grades
- Apprentices will learn the skills employers look for but say that graduates seeking employment don’t always have:
- Creativity, Communication, Problem Solving, Project Management and Team Work
- 90% of apprentices stay in work when they finish
- 71% of apprentices remain with the same employer
- 83% of parents say they would do a degree apprenticeship themselves if they could wind back the clock
- Apprentices must be employed for between 16 and 40 hours per week
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a job, with formal training that will enable your son or daughter to earn nationally-recognised qualifications whilst earning a wage Experience is the key to a great career and by putting the job at the heart of what an apprentice learns, we ensure that they learn the skills that employers really needs them to have.
As of April 1st 2025 the national minimum wage for apprentices is £7.55 an hour and applies to time working, plus time spent training that is part of the Apprenticeship. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year. Apprentices must be paid at least the national minimum wage rate if they’re an apprentice aged 19 or over and have completed their first year.
Employers are free to pay above the new wage and many do so, but employers must ensure that they are paying their apprentices at least the minimum wage. If an apprentice is on a higher wage, the employer must continue to pay that for the remainder of the training or until the apprentice becomes eligible for the full national minimum wage.
Government funding is available to cover the cost of most apprenticeships, which means your son/daughter will not have to pay for any of their training – they will be debt free! Our apprenticeships last between one and six years (depending on which programme the apprentice chooses) and we provide progression routes from GCSE all the way to degree and MSc level qualifications with our own University Centre Colchester.
How can I support my child with getting an apprenticeship?
- Discuss interests and goals: Talk about their aspirations and how apprenticeships could align with their career goals.
- Research and stay informed: Help your child research different apprenticeship options and industries. Learn about the apprenticeship process, entry requirements, and available support resources.
- Assist with applications: Help them prepare their CV or applications, and practice interview skills. Applying for apprenticeships can be time-consuming and disheartening, so do help them with this process. Encourage them to get you to proofread their applications and CVs, practice interview-style questions and help them feel confident in answering these.
- Encourage work experience: Support them in gaining work experience, volunteering, or internships to enhance their applications.
- Be positive and supportive: Encourage them throughout the process and offer reassurance, especially during the application process.
- Let them take responsibility: It can be tempting to make calls or send emails on your child’s behalf. We are happy to answer any questions you may have as a parent, but your child will need to get used to communicating for themselves as they transition into the world of work. Let them take the lead where possible, especially when communicating with employers.
Will I lose any of my benefit entitlements if my child commences an apprenticeship?
Child benefit payments will stop once your child reaches 16 years old, officially leaves school year 11 and enters employment to commence the apprenticeship, but the money they will be earning as a wage during an apprenticeship will usually amount to more. For more information, please refer to the government website.
