Levels of ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships come in different levels too and although the skills that you will learn on the job, to a certain extent will be the same (not entirely – there will be variations in equipment that you learn to use, to the complexity of the things that you deal with and the depth of learning), the nationally recognised qualifications that you study alongside work are at the level that matches the apprenticeship level.An exampleOn a level 2, intermediate Health & Social Care, Adult Social Care apprenticeship you will study for:L2 Diploma in Health and Social Care and L2 Cert in Preparing to work in Adult Social CareOn a level 3, advanced Health & Social Care, Adult Social Care Apprenticeship you will study for:L3 Diploma in Health and Social Care and L3 Cert in Preparing to work in Adult Social CareEntry Requirements for each apprenticeship levelOften you can successfully get an apprenticeship even if you don’t have the necessary academic qualifications, if you can show that you have the experience and ability to complete but apprenticeships are available at different levels, intermediate, advanced and higher.Intermediate Apprenticeships are roughly equivalent to five good GCSE passes.Advanced apprenticeships are equivalent to two A-level passes.Higher apprenticeships are equivalent to the first stages of HE, for example a Foundation degree.What this meansTypically, for anIntermediate Apprenticeshipyou will need a number of GCSEs grades A* to C with, ideally, English and Maths being two of those subjects – although all apprenticeship programmes are required to provide you with an opportunity to gain English and maths GCSEs.For anAdvanced Apprenticeshipyou will need at least 5 GCSEs with grades A* to C with, ideally, English and Maths being two of those subjects and some employers will prefer you to also have some Level 3 qualifications e.g. A-levels, or an equivalent level 3 vocational qualification.For a Higher Apprenticeship in particular you will be required as standard to have 3 A-levels, or an equivalent level 3 vocational qualification because you will be working towards qualifications at a level higher than this.Higher ApprenticeshipsThere were 9nearly 10,000 Higher Apprenticeship starts in 2012/13 and Higher Apprenticeships are available in 43 frameworks (increasing with the new Degree Apprenticeships) – the full list of higher apprenticeships and if you are interested in engineering you might want to read our blog on choosing between a degree or doing an apprenticeship.
