Business Apprenticeships London – Complete Guide 

Business apprenticeships are focused on assisting an organization in the running efficiently and profitably, and they may cover a wide variety of operations and roles. Apprenticeships are available in a variety of fields, including business administration, company development, consulting, management, and leadership.

A number of business apprenticeships may cross over into other employment areas, such as legal or finance, and related courses include accounting apprenticeships and human resources apprenticeships.

However, the majority of business and management-related schemes begin at an intermediate level (Level 2, which is comparable to GCSEs) and progress to higher-level courses at advanced levels (Level 3 and above, which are comparable to a foundation degree or above).

In your role as an apprentice, you’ll work for a firm while receiving on-the-job training and academic study in order to earn industry-recognized certifications. You’ll be paid a full-time income and will graduate from the programme with no debt, thanks to the fact that your company and the government will pay all of your study and training expenses. 

But first, let’s understand what Apprenticeships are and what are its different levels? 

What are Business Apprenticeships? 

In most cases, an apprenticeship is paid employment that enables you to work in a genuine career while simultaneously attending college, university, or training centre one day each week to study for formal certification in the same field. When your apprenticeship is over, you should have learned the information and abilities necessary to either excel in your chosen profession or proceed to the next apprenticeship level.

What you learn will be determined by the job for which you are trained. However, regardless of their function, all apprentices are required to complete an authorised study programme, which results in a nationally recognised certification at the conclusion of your apprenticeship.

These qualifications may include the following:

• Functional skills are GCSE-level credentials in subjects such as English, mathematics, and information technology.
• There are five different levels of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), with the lowest level (equal to five GCSEs) and the highest level (equivalent to a university degree). 
• Technical credentials, such as the BTEC, the City and Guilds Progression Award, and so on, are available.
• Acceptable alternatives include academic degrees such as a Higher National Certificate (HNC), a Higher National Diploma (HND), a foundation degree, or the equivalent of a full-fledged Bachelor’s degree.

You’ll also be continually honing your transferrable talents, commonly known as “soft skills,” which are widely sought after by companies and are highly appreciated by them. Communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, as well as an understanding of information technology and the application of numbers, are all required. 

Age Barrier

Apprenticeships are open to anyone of any age, including those beyond the age of 18. As long as you are above the age of 16 and possess the necessary qualifications, you will be entitled to apply for your desired apprenticeship.

It is possible that you may be eligible for extra government assistance if you begin your apprenticeship beyond the age of 19. 

Apprenticeship levels 

A total of four distinct levels of apprenticeship are available:

• Intermediate – the equivalent of five excellent GCSEs passed with distinction
• Advanced – equal to two A-level passes in a single sitting.
• Higher – is equal to the earliest stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree or a postgraduate certificate.
• Degree – a qualification similar to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

What exactly does a business apprenticeship in London entail?

There are a variety of programmes that fall under the umbrella term “business apprenticeship,” including:

• Those enrolled in business administration apprenticeships are prepared to take on critical support responsibilities inside an organisation. You may be typing up meeting materials, faxing and photocopying secret information, or collecting financial data into spreadsheets. You could also be preparing presentations. Apprentices in intermediate business administration may learn to work as receptionists, office juniors, and business support officers, among other positions. Advancement apprenticeships prepare you for a variety of administrative positions such as personal assistant, secretary, and legal secretary. Higher-level apprenticeships may lead to positions as office managers or business development executives, among other things.
• Apprenticeships in business development teach you how to think creatively in order to increase the overall performance of an organisation. Among the responsibilities is assisting a team in putting their ideas and research into action in the form of new goods and marketing. Business development managers and project managers are two positions that might be trained as a result of these higher apprenticeships.

• Today, you may brief teams, handle issues, get supplies, oversee work, approve budgets, manage disputes, and plan and execute change, to name a few tasks. Training to be a team leader, floor manager, or trainee supervisor is all possible at the intermediate level of study. If you complete an advanced management apprenticeship, you might move to the position of assistant manager, section manager, or first-line supervisor. Senior management, head of the department, and directorships are all possible after completing a higher apprenticeship programme.

Increasingly popular and widely accessible degree apprenticeships in the corporate sector are becoming more common. Apprenticeships at Levels 6 and 7 are now available for those wishing to become chartered managers, project managers, or senior leaders.

Apprenticeships are often completed in one to four years, depending on the company. The length of the programme will be determined by the kind and level of the programme, with degree apprenticeships predictably taking the longest to complete.

Working hours vary from day to day due to the fact that your employer determines them, but on average, you can anticipate putting in 30 hours each week. To complete the training or study component of your apprenticeship, you may be required to attend college or university one day each week, or you may be required to complete planned study blocks of one week or more.

Essays, assignments, presentations, and written tests are all examples of assessment procedures. 

Who are they intended for?

Apprenticeships are a viable alternative to university education and are thus generally reserved for school leavers or career changers. However, practically anybody may apply if they match the eligibility requirements.

Apprenticeships at the intermediate to advanced levels (Levels 2 and 3) are aimed at recent high school graduates and recent college graduates. To be eligible for a Level 2 apprenticeship, you must be 16 years old or older, legally permitted to work in England, and not enrolled in a full-time educational programme. At Level 3, some businesses may need previous work experience as well as three GCSEs with grades ranging from A* to C or 9 to 4 or an equivalent certificate – such as an intermediate apprenticeship qualification.

Higher and university apprenticeships (Levels 4,5,6 and 7) are aimed at people who have finished an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship as well as those who have achieved A-levels or equivalent qualifications. 

How much money will Business Apprenticeships receive?

The National Minimum Wage is owed to all apprentices, and they should be compensated at that rate (NMW). The National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate for apprentices under the age of 19 and those around 19 or over who already are in their first year is £4.81 per hour.

As a result, if you are above the age of 19 and have finished your first year of employment, you must be paid at least the federal minimum wage for your age.

The wages you earn will be based on your usual working hours as well as any training you get as part of your apprenticeship. Employers are in charge of setting salaries. Most of the time, you will be paid much more than the NMW, particularly if you are doing an advanced or degree apprenticeship.

Apprentices working in London on the BBC’s business management higher apprenticeship, for example, earn an annual salary of £18,810, according to the company. In addition, business management apprentices will earn £18,000 plus a London weighting allowance from Tesco, whilst those enrolled in the business leadership and management practise degree apprenticeship at EY would earn £18,600 per year.

Additionally, you will get at least 20 days of paid vacation each year, including any bank holidays and other employee perks such as subsidised travel. 

What is the process for becoming a business apprentice in London?

The vast majority of applications are published electronically by filling out an application form, which is available here. However, specific procedures may differ depending on the organisation, so check with them first.

The application process for apprenticeships is similar to the application process for employment. Make a comprehensive investigation of the organisation in which you are interested, and ensure that your CV is up to date. You’ll need to adapt your application to the position’s specific requirements by presenting proof of relevant experience and examples of times when you’ve displayed the essential abilities. For example, you might present instances when you’ve led a group, such as as the captain of a sports team, worked in an office setting, or interacted with members of the public via part-time employment to be considered for business positions.

As part of their first recruiting process, certain organisations may require you to participate in situational judgement, numeracy, and psychometric exams, among other things. After that, you may be required to visit an assessment centre or to participate in telephone or video interviews before proceeding to the final interview round. 

If you think that it is like an internship, then there is a difference between an internship and an apprenticeship. Continue reading to learn more about the distinction. 

What is the difference between an apprenticeship and an internship?

The phrases’ apprenticeship’ and ‘internship’ are occasionally used interchangeably, which is a common misunderstanding. It is critical to understand the variations between these changes in order to ensure that you are applying for the appropriate roles.

Apprenticeships are comprised of the following

• Formal employment programmes, and as a result, you’ll be required to sign a contract with your prospective employer.
• It will take between one and four years to execute a long-term project.
• Those are having a clear notion of what industry they want to work in and what professional route they want to take are more likely to succeed in this field.
• School leavers are often involved in this kind of work.
• This programme is intended to give particular work-based training opportunities. Apprentices learn through performing the work they are hired to accomplish.
• apprentices may obtain formal credentials such as NVQs, foundation degrees, and technical certificates via this route
• If you pay the NMW, you will at the very least get it.
• An apprenticeship is a straight road to work, with the majority of apprentices promised a position upon completion of their programme.

Internships include the following

• Because it is customary for no employment contracts to be formalised, informal agreements are common.
• short-term, restricted intervals ranging from one week to twelve months in length
• In order to give information to those who may be unsure about their future job routes, this website has been created.
• Students and recent grads are often responsible for this kind of work.
• Work-based learning programmes that place a greater emphasis on providing interns with transferrable skills and work experience for their CVs than on providing them with job-specific abilities or formal credentials
• Temporary in nature, with no promise of employment after completion of the project. 

Wrapping Up

To sum up, to really learn about the business world, you need to get your hands dirty and work hard at it, which is exactly what business apprenticeships enable you to accomplish. 

Companies that interest you should investigate whether or not they provide business and management apprenticeships. Business administrators, advisors, developers, managers, and consultants are required in practically all industries. Some businesses will only hire apprentices at specified times of the year, while others will hire them at any time of the year. 

We hope that our complete guide on Business Apprenticeships London will help you to make a decision and will guide you on things like how much you will be paid or how can you apply and many more.