We have over 68 different types of apprenticeships available. There has never been a better time to consider an apprenticeship as that first step towards your career.
Apprenticeships offer you the chance to continue your studies but to also be employed; earning a wage, gaining qualifications and valuable industry experience. We will help you find an employer with a vacancy that suits you.
Employers value you
Employers across the region come to work with us and our apprentices because:
- They know our students will already be developing the skills, knowledge and experience that will make you potentially a good candidate
- We have an excellent reputation as a training provider
- We offer a very broad range of apprenticeships suitable for school leavers through to senior managers
Apprenticeship Vacancies
Our team at Doncaster College can help you identify the type of apprenticeship you would be interested in. We have close links with local employers that may require apprentices. We advertise vacancies here on the College website as well as on the National Apprenticeship Service website.
We also keep in touch with individuals we know are interested in apprenticeships to make sure they know about our employer vacancies.
Key Facts about Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeships are available in 1500 job roles
- The College has apprenticeships with over 1000 employers
- Doncaster College is the largest local provider with over 2400 apprentices
- Apprenticeships are available in more than 170 industries
- We have over 68 different types of apprenticeships available
- Intermediate, advanced and higher apprenticeships available
- Many employers offer above minimum wage
- Many employers who offer the minimum wage increase it during the first year
- Many jobs today are only available through an apprenticeship
- After finishing, the majority of apprentices (90%) stay in employment (including 2% selfemployed), with seven in ten (71%) staying with the same employer
- On average, individuals with an advanced apprenticeship earn between £77,000 and £117,000 more over their lifetime than similar individuals with Level 2 qualifications
- They are available from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs grades 4-9/A-C) all the way up to degree level
- Apprentices work as a paid employee within an organisation whilst working towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship qualification
- Apprenticeships take between 1 to 5 years depending on the level, type of apprenticeship and prior skills
Benefits of an Apprenticeship
- Progression – many employers encourage apprentices to go on to further and higher levels of qualifications once they complete their apprenticeship
- Earn whilst you learn – apprentices are paid at least the national minimum wage, with many employers paying more
- No student loan – you can do a higher apprenticeship including higher qualifications, such as a degree, but without needing a student loan
- Learn at your own pace
- Qualifications that employers value
- Apprentices are fully equipped for the world of work, developing other work skills such as communication, teamwork and accountability
- Getting into employment earlier means there’s potential for you to progress in your career quickly
- Student discounts locally and through national schemes
- There is always someone on-hand to show you how things are done
- Whilst on your apprenticeship, you will be an employee of the company and be entitled to the same benefits as other staff, including a certain amount of paid holiday per year in addition to bank holidays
- Functional skills qualifications – English and maths – if you do not have GCSE grades already
Is it right for me?
Our Careers Advice and Guidance and Apprenticeship Support teams can help you every step of the way. We offer one-to-one meetings to find out more about you and to explain apprenticeships.
We can also provide support to help you prepare for an apprenticeship vacancy, help with CVs and job applications, interview skills and confidence building.
We recommend: Selecting ‘apprenticeship’ as well as a full-time course when you apply. You can start applying for apprenticeships whenever you want.
Applying for an Apprenticeship
Entry Requirements
Different apprenticeships have different entry requirements. However, the most important requirements are that:
- You must be living in England and not taking part in full-time education
- You must be aged 16 or over
- You must provide evidence of any existing English and maths qualifications
When can I apply?
You can apply for an apprenticeship at any stage – before you start College, during your time with us as a student, or after you leave College. An apprenticeship is a job with training and so the key to initial success is being able to research opportunities and ensure you prepare well for a
Applying for both an Apprenticeship and Full-Time course
There is no guarantee that an apprenticeship vacancy will be available as soon as you want it and even if there is, it is a job vacancy so you must apply and go through the employer recruitment selection process to see if you are successful. This means you may be successful in getting an apprenticeship before you are due to start with us, whilst you are at College or after you have completed your College courses.
We will interview you for a full-time programme but also discuss apprenticeships with you. The apprenticeship support team will also then start to contact you about apprenticeship vacancies and provide any support to help you in the application process.