Apprenticeships in England

This information is for deaf young people and families of deaf children in England. Read our information for Northern Ireland and Scotland.

There are a wide variety of choices for post-16 education. Apprenticeships can be a good option if you know which job you want to do. 

An apprenticeship is a way of training on-the-job, while studying at college or university. Apprentices are paid for their work. There are apprenticeships available in all sorts of fields. For example, engineering, law, construction, business, beauty and childcare. 

What are apprenticeships

Apprenticeships can be an opportunity to gain structured work experience alongside studying for qualifications. Time is usually split between the workplace to learn key skills ‘on the job’ and going to college or university to study for the qualification.

Apprentices are employed by an organisation or company. They will be entitled to at least the Apprentice National Minimum Wage (GOV.UK). The Apprentice National Minimum Wage is lower than the National Minimum Wage. However, some employers may pay more.

Apprenticeships provide the opportunity to develop maths, literacy and ICT skills further. These skills can be useful for getting a job in the future. Gaining experience in the workplace also helps develop transferable skills - teamwork, problem-solving or customer service for example.

Areas you can do apprenticeships in

Many modern industries provide apprenticeships, such as engineering, beauty therapy and design.

Find out about the areas you can apprentice in (GOV.UK).

Unfortunately, there are some employers who will advertise fake apprenticeships. All About School Leavers is an organisation that helps school leavers enter the workplace. Read their tips on how to spot a fake apprenticeship.

Finding an apprenticeship

There are 4 different types of apprenticeship with different levels of study. They have different entry requirements and take different lengths of time to complete.

Applying for an apprenticeship

Applying for an apprenticeship is similar to applying for a job. New vacancies can be made available at any time of year.

You can find and apply for apprenticeships through the apprenticeship service (GOV.UK). Apprenticeships are also listed on regular job search websites.

Many colleges allow you to apply for apprenticeships through them. They may be able to provide support for applicants to find the right apprenticeship. Check the websites of colleges or contact them for a better understanding of what they offer.

“I didn’t think I’d get the [aerospace engineering] apprenticeship because of my deafness, but I had a lovely apprenticeship manager who told everyone that I should apply because I could do it. I wouldn’t have felt confident applying otherwise.” 

“I’d have enjoyed university, but there are lots of exams and I’d have been distracted by the social side of it. I knew it was best for me to work, get a qualification and earn money.

Ifan, who is profoundly deaf and uses hearing aids, completed an aerospace engineering apprenticeship.

Read Ifan's story.

Entry requirements

Like college or university, apprenticeships often have entry requirements. These may include GCSE grades, literacy and numeracy tests, or interview processes. 

Some deaf young people may find it hard to meet these requirements because of their deafness. However, apprenticeship providers and employers must be flexible when assessing deaf applicants. Under the Equality Act 2010, deafness meets the legal definition of disability. This means that providers must allow deaf applicants to show they can succeed in other ways.

Apprenticeship providers and employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’. Reasonable adjustments are small and inexpensive changes providers and employers can make. These changes will help deaf applicants to fully access the application process. Reasonable adjustments may include extra time in tests or communication support in interviews. Deaf applicants can use Access to Work to pay for communication support at interviews.

Telling a provider or employer about your deafness

Some deaf young people may not want to tell a college or employer about their deafness. It is an individual choice. However, it can be helpful to be as open and upfront as possible. Especially if support might be required in order to fully access an apprenticeship.

Before the interview, I told them I was deaf and that I needed patience. They were understanding and even showed me the written interview questions. I had a group task first and I was worried about it, but I knew the people I was with, so they understood how to communicate with me. I made sure I talked a lot and put myself out there. Afterwards, I had an interview and I got accepted onto the apprenticeship!”

Read Ifan's story.

It’s illegal for apprenticeship providers or employers to discriminate against a young person because they are deaf.

Support during an apprenticeship

Under the Equality Act 2010, apprenticeship providers and employers must make reasonable adjustments. This is so disabled apprentices aren’t disadvantaged compared to non-disabled apprentices. Most types of hearing loss and level of deafness meet the legal definition of disability. 

Reasonable adjustments are small and inexpensive changes employers and education provider make. Reasonable adjustments for an apprenticeship may include:

• technology and equipment such as radio aids
• support from a ToD
• communication support workers (CSWs)
• note-takers/palantypists
• BSL interpreters
• lipspeakers
• changes to buildings or rooms to improve acoustics
• training for staff in deaf awareness.

Education providers and employers are equally responsible for making reasonable adjustments. They must make sure a deaf apprentice an access their apprenticeship fully. 

There’s no justification for not making a reasonable adjustment. However, in some cases a provider may be able to argue that what is being of asked of them is not reasonable.

End point assessments

Apprentices must take a series of tests to complete their apprenticeships. These are End Point Assessments and take place in assessment centres. Centres must make reasonable adjustments to make tests accessible for deaf apprentices. 

Adjustments to assessments include:

• making sure verbal tests take place in a quiet room
• providing communication support if required
• extra time for written tests if a deaf young person needs longer to process written information.

If a provider or employer fails to make a reasonable adjustment

If an apprenticeship provider or employer fails to make a reasonable adjustment, there are steps you can take.

Try to talk through any problems with the provider or employer first. This will vary depending on the apprenticeship, but if in doubt talk to the course leader or lecturer. Problems with support may be resolved by looking for a solution with the provider. Try to keep a record of what is said and agreed in meetings.