• If you’re 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage. This is the minimum you will earn – many employers pay a lot more and offer their apprentices a competitive salary. 
• You will develop your soft skills, communication and teamworking skills, for example, receiving support in your place of work with regular visits from assessors, along with training and coaching which may be on or off the job.
• You will gain experience in the workplace enabling you to demonstrate your ability either to the employer who has supported you with your apprenticeship or another employer should you apply for a new role on completion of your apprenticeship. Circa 71% of apprentices stay with their employer after finishing their apprenticeship and 90% stay employed
• You can commence your career path at a much earlier age; however, your apprenticeship does not restrict you from moving into different industry or continuing your learning at a higher level

Throughout the apprenticeship Absolute Works will discuss the intent of the programme, how we will implement this and what impact the apprenticeship has on the apprentice, their employer and the company.  

Exploration and Intent

We offer a free consultation where we explain to employers and apprentices exactly what is involved in the apprenticeship programme and what costs (if any) are involved. 

We will cover our commitment, employer and apprentices’ responsibilities and what the apprentice and employer can expect during the length of the apprenticeship. We will cover Information advice and guidance and our policy is available here 

Commencing and implementation of the apprenticeship 

The apprenticeship commences with an in-depth induction during which we explain step by step how the apprenticeship will progress, introduction to their assessor/s, and a bespoke ‘intent’ and training plan which will be completed in collaboration with the apprentice and employer. 

Training and development implementation 

Workshops, Elearning, coaching, workbook lead training will commence immediately following induction as per your individualised training plan 

Assessor support and impact 

Each apprentice will meet regularly with their assessor, in the workplace and or virtually. Progress will be reviewed, targets set, work signed off and a discussion will be held around the impact the training is having on the apprentice and the business. Objectives will be set for the next stage.  At the end of each meeting a review document will be completed, and it will record the details of what was agreed by the apprentice and the assessor and employer. Each apprentice will record their progress and achievement via an e-portfolio system. Career progression will also be discussion during these sessions

End point assessment and impact

At the end of the programme an external body will be responsible for End Point Assessment and awarding the apprenticeship. For most apprenticeships this will consist of an online exam, a workplace observation and professional discussion. This part of the programme will require the close involvement of the employer or line manager at what we call a Gateway Meeting.

Celebrate and reflection 

This should be the time to celebrate the successful conclusion of all the hard work and effort that has been put in during the apprenticeship and the apprentice has been rewarded with a pass or distinction. We encourage both employers and apprentices to celebrate this achievement and once they have done so to reflect on whether they would like to continue on the apprenticeships journey and reevaluate their career expectations

You don’t need to wait until you are 18 if studying full time at educational establishments is not for you, you can commence an apprenticeship at 16 years of age. Apprenticeships may be best suited to people who prefer a hands-on approach to learning in a working environment.

There are numerous apprenticeships available for people leaving education and for those that have been in employment for either a few or many years you can access the information on apprenticeships here.