You will not be required to cover any of the fees payable for the apprenticeship, however in some cases employers will be required to pay a contribution towards your qualification.
If your parent/guardian is claiming child benefit or child tax credit in your name then this may stop once you have successfully signed up to an apprenticeship. However the money you will be earning as a wage during your apprenticeship will usually amount to more. For more information please refer to the government website.
If childcare costs are stopping you from signing up to an apprenticeship then you may want to discuss this with one of our Student Services team members.
Don’t worry, we offer a completely FREE vacancy matching service. You can drop in at the times stated below, or email your CV and details of areas you would like to work in. We will search our catalogue of vacancies and send you details of those that match your criteria. If we are unable to match you to a vacancy in our catalogue we will hold your CV and details in our virtual apprentice POOL ready to put you forward to a suitable employer when the opportunity arises.
Apprenticeship Drop-in Advice – Room B202a – Colchester Institute, Sheepen Road Campus.
Monday: 9am – 4:30pm
Tuesday: 9am – 4:30pm
Wednesday: 9am – 4:30pm
Thursday: 9am – 4:30pm
Friday: 9am – 4:00pm
Apprenticeships – Interview Preparation
- Research the organisation, for example visit their website. Research the job that you are applying for and have some good examples of when you have used skills relevant to the job role.
- Prepare answers to some typical interview questions and prepare two or three questions that show an interest in the job and organisation.
- Work out how to get to the interview and how long the journey will take. Check the timetables for public transport. Allow enough time to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview.
- Have the organisation’s contact details in your (charged up) mobile phone, in case you need to inform the interviewer of travel delays.
- Arrive on time. Switch your phone off or set to silent (not vibrate). Bring a copy of your CV, the application form and job advert with you, and a pad and pen to take notes.
- Use the interviewer’s title (Mr/Ms) and surname. When answering questions refer to the job advert/description.
- Answer questions concisely and speak clearly. Use proper grammar and avoid slang.
- Avoid interrupting the interviewer.
- Focus on your strengths.
- Be positive, enthusiastic, professional and mature.
- Appearance and body language
- Wear clean, ironed clothes and take a bath or shower before the interview.
- Make sure your hands and finger nails are clean, and brush your teeth.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear (formal shoes, no trainers).
- Don’t wear too much make-up and jewellery.
- Avoid overpowering perfume or aftershave.
- Use good posture and sit up straight.
- Be attentive and composed (don’t fidget or play with hair).
- Smile and make eye contact, but avoid staring.
- Avoid negative behaviour (crossing your arms, yawning, checking your watch, etc.).
- Ask any questions about the job role and organisation
- Shake hands with the interviewer and thank them for their time
- Emphasise your interest in the job and ask when a decision will be made
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 school leavers and with such a competitive job market, a professional apprenticeship could be the right answer to ensure your son/daughter 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 2023 the national minimum wage for apprentices is £5.28 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.
Will I lose any of my benefit entitlements if my child commences an apprenticeship?
Tax credits will not be affected by your child entering on to an apprenticeship; however, child benefit payments will stop once your child reaches 16 years old and officially leaves school year 11 and enters employment to commence the apprenticeship.
