About Apprenticeships

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a career pathway which allows you to learn while gaining on the job experience. It is a job, with a salary and contract of employment and the chance to study while you are working.

Available to those 16 and over, apprenticeships in science offer hands on experience, combined with at least 20% of your time in off-the-job learning at a college, university, training provider or within your workplace, away from day to day working environment and duties.

Benefits of an Apprenticeship

There are many benefits of apprenticeships, including:

  • Take the first step in your career and the world of work, working alongside established and experienced scientists.
  • Gain valuable experience working in science as you progress your studies and learning.
  • Become a fully competent scientist, while gaining vital skills and knowledge to allow you to progress in your career.
  • There is a wide, diverse range of apprenticeship types across the UK, with a range of learning options and time commitments to suit you.
  • With levels ranging from 2 (equivalent of GCSE) through to Higher apprenticeships at level 7 (Masters Degree) there are options for all abilities and progression.

Where to find more information

Science Council members, such as the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics, offer a wealth of information on apprenticeships and technical education, find about about them here.

What’s it like being an apprentice? Check out the Royal Society of Chemistry’s video below: