Earn while you learn; train and gain: Apprenticeships

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (NAW 2025) runs from Monday 10^th to Friday 16^th February. It’s an annual week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

NAW 2025 encourages everyone to consider and celebrate how apprenticeships and skills help individuals develop rewarding careers, and employers to develop a workforce with future-ready skills….and Acacia Training will not only be championing apprenticeships and NAW 2025 – we will also be celebrating our own awards, too.

An apprenticeship allows you to learn and earn at the same time whilst developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for a successful career. If you are considering an apprenticeship, here are a few questions that you may have……

1. Who can undertake an apprenticeship?

You can start an apprenticeship if you’re: 

• 16 or over – there’s no upper age limit
• not in education (full or part-time)

You can have a previous qualification, like a degree, and still start an apprenticeship, and you can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school, but you’ll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship.

2. How do apprenticeships work?

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.

As an apprentice you’ll:

• be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay
• work alongside experienced staff
• gain job-specific skills
• get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours)

Apprenticeships take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level.

3. What are the levels of an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels.

Some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.

4. Does it make a difference if you have relevant experience?

Yes, you could spend less time training or qualify earlier if you have relevant experience. This includes having:

• qualifications, such as a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in a relevant subject
• industry or sector experience
• completed training, such as an IT course

You can agree this with your training provider and employer when you start your apprenticeship.

5. What are the earnings and holidays for apprentices?

There are different rates of pay for apprentices depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in. Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay. As an apprentice:

• you will be paid and be entitled to the National Minimum Wage
• receive time for training or study as part of your apprenticeship
• receive holiday pay and other employee rights

Aged 16 to 18: The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £6.40 per hour.

Aged 19 or over and in your first year: The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £6.40 per hour.

Aged 19 or over and have completed your first year: You’re entitled to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage rate for your age.

Holidays: You’ll get at least 20 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

6. Do apprentices get training?

As an apprentice, at least 20% of your normal working hours must be spent on training and your training might happen every week, every month or in a separate block of time. The training might take place:

• at your place of work
• somewhere else like at a college or training provider
• online

Your training provider will be able to tell you when and where your training will be.

If you are a learner or an employer looking for more information on apprenticeships through Acacia Training, please contact us:

E: sales@acaciatraining.co.uk      T: 01782 646346