Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to earn while you learn At Riverside College we have an excellent track record of delivering high quality apprenticeships across the region with outstanding achievement rates and destinations. By choosing an apprenticeship with us you will be able to:
- Get a real job and continue your education
- Work alongside experienced staff
- Earn a wage and get holiday pay while your training is paid for
- Be given time for study related to your role (equivalent of one day a week)
- Gain hands-on experience and learn skills that employers want,helping shape your future career
- Choose from a wide range of industries and organisations
Apprenticeship Career Paths:
- Accountancy
- Brickwork
- Business Administration
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Catering
- Customer Service
- Digital Marketing
- Electrical Installation
- Engineering
- Hairdressing
- Health and Social Care
- IT Infrastructure Technician
- Laboratory Technician
- Painting and Decorating
- Plumbing
- Science Manufacturing
- Team Leading and Management
- Welding
Unique Benefits:
- Receive support from our dedicated team of recruitment and apprenticeship mentors
- Opportunities to enter Skills Competitions
- Become an Apprenticeship Ambassador
- By successfully completing your apprenticeship, you’ll have gained the confidence and skills needed to progress in your chosen career
What’s Involved?
You will need to be employed usually for a minimum of 30 hours a week or more. Apprenticeships can last between 12 – 48 months depending on the apprenticeship and if you have any previous experience. Your employer will commit to providing you with at least 20% off the job training, whether that be at college or in the workplace.
How much can you earn?
Levels of starting salaries for apprentices are variable and are dependent on many factors such as:
- The level of apprenticeship you apply for
- The sector you are working in e.g. engineering, health care, sciences, administration etc
- The type of employer you are working for e.g. small business, large corporation, public or private sector
- Your age, experience and existing qualifications
The National Minimum Wage for apprentices is currently £3.90 per hour, but the majority of our employers pay more than this. The Apprenticeship Pay Survey for 2016 estimated the average gross hourly pay was £6.70 per hour for a Level 2 and 3 apprentices.
Who can apply?
Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and there is no upper age limit. All vacancies clearly state what entry requirements are needed for the job being advertised. There will be different entry requirements depending on the industry, job role and apprenticeship level.
All apprenticeships lead to industry recognised standards or qualifications including maths and English. Some apprenticeships also require an assessment at the end of the programme to assess and grade the apprentice’s ability and competence in their job role.
Levels of Apprenticeships:
- Intermediate, Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs at A*- C, GCSE English and Maths Level 9 – 4)
- Advanced, Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Level passes)/ Level 3 Diploma / International Baccalaureate
- Higher, Level 4, 5, 6 and 7 (equivalent to Foundation Degree Level)
- Degree, Level 6 and 7 (Bachelor’s or Masters Degree)
At the end of your Apprenticeship you might continue working at the same organisation, apply for other jobs or go on to further study at college or even university. Apprenticeships offer some fantastic career opportunities and the sky really is the limit! Football manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Chef Gordon Ramsay and footballer David Beckham all started their careers as apprenticeships!
Working with both local and national employers throughout the whole of the North West region, we offer a wide variety of apprenticeship opportunities and have employers who are actively looking for apprentices like you now. Our specialist team are on hand to support you and offer advice in CV and interview preparation to help you secure your apprenticeship. You will be assigned a mentor who will oversee your training and track your progress and development. You will be fully supported throughout your apprenticeship both in the workplace and at college with help always on hand for any issues or problems that you may encounter.
Apprenticeship opportunities are popular and so you if you feel that this is the right direction for your career, you should apply as soon as you are in Year 11 at school or at any time if you are not at school.
With an apprenticeship success rate of 78%, we are ready and able to help you take your first steps on your chosen career path.
Celebrating Apprentices
The Riverside College Apprenticeship team work closely with employers to develop skills and enhance experiences for apprentices. Each year the college celebrates National Apprenticeship Week to highlight the success of the Riverside Apprentices.
- Kathryn Bradley, Health and Social Care, Warrington and Halton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Oliver Collins, Functional Skills, Evolve Facility Services Limited
- Macy Dyer, Business Administration and Customer Service, Koura
- Callum Fagan, Plumbing and Heating, DT Plumbing and Heating
- Tony Ierston, Brickwork and Painting and Decorating, Bell Group
- Michael McKenna, Electrical Installation, Sure Safe Electrics (Widnes)
- Jack Morrison, Welding and Fabrication, Warrington Fabrications
- Jamie Mottram, Engineering Gildon, Lymm Hydraulics
- Francisco Jose Reyes Medrano, Catering and Hospitality, Halton Borough Council
- Teigan Risley, Accountancy Leavitt, Walmsley Associates
- Connor Watkinson, Carpentry and Joinery MJ Gleeson
- Georgia-Bleu Williams, Science and Information Technology, Carpenters Additive
- Demi-Lee Worrall, Hairdressing Anya Hair and Beauty
- Connor Watkinson, Overall Apprentice of the Year
- Bell Group, Employer of the Year
Ready?
Click here to view our latest apprenticeship vacancies.