Apprenticeships Support

Apprenticeships are a great way for those embarking on a new career or progressing in their existing one, to gain a qualification while earning a salary. It's also a way for employers of all sizes to introduce new talent and to fill skills gaps into their organisation. The Council offers support to both potential apprentices and business considering taking on an apprentice.

 

 

Are you interested in doing an apprenticeship?

Are you looking for a rewarding job or a change in your career? An apprenticeship might be just for you. An apprenticeship can be anything between 12 months and five years depending on the level of qualification and profession chosen, and you could earn a debt-free degree or qualification in your chosen industry. 

80% of your time will be spent working in a role which gives you the experience you need to excel in your chosen sector. The other 20% of your time will be spent on off-the-job training which may be delivered in several ways: face to face, online, though projects, through supervision and mentoring. 

There are a range of opportunities with employers in Kensington and Chelsea across different sectors including business services, hospitality, real estate, medical, personal services, digital and more. The Council is here to support you to make it easy to find an apprenticeship, be prepared, meet the employer and be successful in your application.  

How to apply

The Council is working with large and small businesses in the borough to create jobs for apprentices. Search for available apprenticeship vacancies within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. You can also search and apply for apprenticeship opportunities through the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship page on National Apprenticeship Service website where apprenticeship vacancies in the country are advertised.

If you have a specific interest in a certain employer, it is also worth going direct to their recruitment site. 

Find an apprenticeship

Support from the Council

You can also contact the DWP, a support worker or the Council directly. We can help you with a range of support, depending on your needs. Some of this might include guidance on completing the application, interview preparation, CV writing and mock interviews. 

To find out more about apprenticeships and how the Council can support you, please email [email protected].

Extra benefits of an apprenticeship 

  • the training and assessments are covered and paid for by the employer - so you can avoid the burden of student loans 
  • holiday allowance and bank holidays off 
  • 30% off adult-rate travel cards and bus and tram season tickets 
  • you can apply for the NUS card and get up to 50% off driving lessons, clothes, travel and lots more 

 

Interested in doing an apprenticeship at Kensington and Chelsea Council?

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea offers a range of apprenticeship opportunities. We offer all levels of apprenticeships, from Intermediate to Degree level.  

We offer apprenticeships in: 

  • Project management
  • Business and administration 
  • Customer Service  
  • Finance and accounting 
  • Commercial 
  • Housing 
  • Human resources 
  • Audit and risk 
  • Social care 
  • Digital and IT  
  • Trades 

And many others. 

How to apply

Visit our careers portal and search for the apprenticeship which is right for you. If you can’t find one, you can set up alerts to your email. 


 

Frequently asked questions

How old can I be to do an apprenticeship? 

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 and have no upper age limit. 

Do I need any qualifications? 

Entry requirements differ depending on each apprenticeship but most require A-C GCSE in English and or Math or equivalent. You can start an apprenticeship even if you already have a degree, just as long as it is not in the same area of study. 

How much will I get paid? 

There is a legal apprenticeship minimum wage of £4.30, though some employers will pay the National Minimum Wage which can be from £4.62 to £8.91 depending on your age. An apprentice can earn anything from £12,000-£22,000 in the first year of the apprenticeship. If you don’t finish the apprenticeship, you will not be expected to pay back the apprenticeship training costs. 

How long will it take me to complete my apprenticeship? 

Depending on the level, it can take anything from 12-48 months to complete. A Level 2 (GCSE) will be 12 months, a Level 3 (A levels) can be 18-24 months and a Level 4, 5 or 6 (degree) approximately 36-48 months. 

How much will it cost me to do an apprenticeship and can I get a loan? 

Your apprenticeship training will cost you absolutely nothing. All the cost is paid by your employer and they will pay your salary. You do not need to take out a loan, as there is no cost to you.  

Will I get time to study if I work full time? 

Yes, you have to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and will get 20 percent (about one day a week) to work on your studies. You will be paid for the time you work on your studies.

How will I be assessed? 

All apprentices go through a process called End Point Assessment (EPA), which is taken at the end of the apprenticeship. It is different for each apprenticeship, but could include a presentation, an interview, a practical observation, an online assessment or a different method. This essentially means they will be looking for you to provide evidence and examples that demonstrate that you know how to perform your job. 

What type of apprenticeship can I do and where can I find an apprenticeship? 

There are more than 700 types of qualifications available across all sectors. Businesses offer a range of apprenticeships including childcare, construction, finance, business and many more. You can search and apply for vacancies on ‘Find an apprenticeship’ on GOV.UK and set up an email alert for new apprenticeship vacancies which may be of interest to you. 

If you have a specific interest in a certain employer, it is also worth going direct to their recruitment site. 

Are you a business interested in offering an apprenticeship?

Information for employers 

With even more support and financial incentives than ever available to recruit, train and retain apprentices, it’s an ideal time to think about apprenticeships as part of your workforce. Kensington and Chelsea Council provides expert advice and guidance on apprenticeships and how this can benefit your business. 

To make it even easier to take on an apprentice, there is now additional funding available. of between £3000 and £4000 per apprentice you employ.

What support is available? 

Kensington and Chelsea Council is proud to support apprenticeships opportunities with local employers. Working with businesses in the borough we can provide free: 

  • Advice on employing a new apprentice 
  • Advice on upskilling existing staff 
  • Information on funding and incentives available for taking on an apprentice 
  • Introductions to training providers 
  • Help setting up an apprenticeship account 
  • Support with recruiting local talent  
  • Introductions to businesses that already employ apprentices 
What are the benefits? 

Apprenticeships can contribute towards filling skills gaps, increase employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover and recruitment costs. Your apprentice will learn skills specific to your sector and bring fresh and new ideas to your business or develop existing staff to provide even more expertise in your business. Better skilled and equipped staff adds value to your businesses overall, as 74 per cent of employers said providing apprenticeships helped them improve the quality of their product or service. 

To find out more about creating apprenticeships with your business and how the Council can support you, please email [email protected].

Last updated: 13 March 2024