Frequently Asked Questions
We are often asked the following questions by many of our prosepctive Apprentices...
What is an Apprenticeship?
When you’re an apprentice you get paid and train at the same time, with at least 20% of your time spent in off the job training, often at college. You train to be fully competent in your chosen occupation and you’re on a career path with lots of future potential for you.
What would I earn as an Apprentice?
For the first 12 months of your Apprenticeship you will be paid National Minimum wage for Apprenticeship. After this 12-month period you will be paid the minimum wage for your age group. Click here for more information on Apprenticeship wages. Please note it is possible that you will be paid more.
What is the difference between Apprenticeship and a Traineeship?
A Traineeship programme is designed to assist young (aged 16-24) unemployed people gain real work experience, job skills and improve their English and maths and is usually offered to young people who are not quite ready for an Apprenticeship or full-time college course. Visit GOV.UK Traineeships page to find out more.
What are the entry requirements for an Apprenticeship?
You will also need to have a minimum Grade 4 in GCSE English and maths or a willingness to improve your English and maths skills along with a good work ethic, excellent timekeeping and a professional approach. You will undertake an initial assessment in maths and English to determine the level you are at.
You will also need to find a job in your chosen sector, with an employer willing to offer you an Apprenticeship and be interested in progressing that job role.
How does an Apprenticeship work?
Apprentices are employed by an employer to do a specific job role. Many Apprentices receive their training on a day-release basis, where they attend college one day a week. However, for some Apprenticeships, all training is delivered in the workplace.
Your Apprenticeship study programme will be tailored specifically for your job role and career development and the units will be chosen to match the job and your career goals.
How do I apply for an Apprenticeship?
There are several ways in which you can apply:
- Register with the National Apprenticeships Services, view their vacancies and apply through their website.
- Find your own Apprenticeship by approaching businesses with your CV and a Covering Letter. Remember to choose businesses that you are interested in working for.
- View the Apprenticeship vacancies below. These are vacancies where Southport College will deliver the training for those employers.
- If you are already in employment, approach your employer about starting an Apprenticeship.
- Join the talent pool at Southport College once you’ve finished your GCSEs. We may be able to match you with an Apprenticeship and an employer that suits you. To join our talent pool send your CV to employer@southport.ac.uk
How long does an Apprenticeship last?
Depending on your apprenticeship programme, the level you’re on and your previous experience, your apprenticeship could take between one and six years to complete. Throughout your apprenticeship you’ll get hands-on experience working whilst you learn, which helps you progress in your career.
Apprenticeships are a great option for getting on the ladder or supercharging your career, especially as you are paid a regular salary and your training is funded by the government and your employer.
How is an Apprenticeship different from a full-time course?
An Apprenticeship is an alternative route to full-time study and can be challenging as you will be working for an employer and training for your job role at the same time. If you want to start work and are interested in a particular job role an Apprenticeship is an ideal choice.
Who can do an Apprenticeship?
You must be over the age of 16 and have completed your GCSE exams. There is no upper age to limit to starting an Apprenticeship.
Specialist Vocational Learning Environments
For apprentices undertaking their training at college, we have high quality workshops and facilities on-site, with industry experienced, professional staff.
Electrical Workshop
Our industry standard workshops contain the latest equipment including multimeters and testing equipment such as FLUKE. We also have strong links with Hager and we currently deliver 18th Edition version of the Apprenticeships and include AM2 training.
Plumbing & Gas Workshop
Our brand new training workshops, are fitted with the latest industry equipment including top of the range boilers and boosted cold water equipment. We also have an accredited gas certification scheme for those ready to join the Gas Safe Register and we are qualified in un-vented hot water and water regulations qualifications.
Painting & Decorating Workshop
Students use our custom-built painting and decorating workshop which has specially designed areas for them to practise their painting and wallpapering techniques.
Engineering Workshops
Our engineering workshops were recently part of a £1.3 million refurbishment and are kitted out with £150,000 of new equipment including manual lathes, CNC lathes, CNC milling machine, manual milling machines, bench fitting area, casting facility, furnance, CAD room equipped with auto CAD solid works, fabrication, metal inert gas, welding (MIG), manual metal arc (MMA).
Childcare (Nursery)
Our childcare apprentices have the opportunity to observe, plan and assess young children in our nursery environment to help build their skills and knowledge around child development. This is all carried out in accordance with the EYFS and the awarding body CACHE’s early years standards.
Clouds Restaurant
At Clouds Restaurant, the public can come and enjoy a fine dining experience in stylish surroundings with panoramic views of Southport’s skyline.
Concept Salons
Concept Salons offer a range of beauty, hairdressing and barbering treatments to both male and female clients of all ages.
Support through your Apprenticeship
Find out what we can offer to support you during your Apprenticeship.
What our Apprentices & Employers say
Kate Wilkinson, AAT Level 2 Apprentice Doing an apprenticeship has supported me towards my chosen career because I feel that I have gained more practical experience that I would have done if I had gone to university. The AAT course also provides you with a good understanding of manual accounting.
Alan Andrews, Lattimer Engineering As technology moves ever forward and competition becomes stronger, we need highly skilled engineers with a higher education to take us forward and meet the challenge head on.
Ryan Mallinson, Level 4 Engineering Apprenticeship Following school, I joined Stork’s Heat Treatment division Cooperheat and started the Level 2 Apprenticeship programme in partnership with Southport College. I then continued onto an Advanced Apprenticeship which allowed me to specialise further in Engineering Design and Computer Aided Design. This enabled me to progress to the HNC in Engineering during which I was promoted to the role of Design Engineer, within Cooperheat. I am now studying a HND which will allow me to become a more competent Design Engineer and take on specialist projects.
Current Vacancies
We offer a wide range of apprenticeships and regularly match candidates with their ideal role. If you are looking for an Apprenticeship, look at the current vacancies below:
If you can't find what you are looking for today, please do get in touch with us, as new opportunites become available all the time and we are always looking for great candidates.
You can also find your own Apprenticeship by approaching businesses with your CV and a Covering Letter or approaching your current employer about starting an apprenticeship with them.