Are apprenticeships just for the young and school leavers?

[Teddy1970]

Just wondering really, I've seen a couple of apprenticeships I'd love to apply for but didn't because I assumed you had to be a youngster to get them! Anyone know? I can't seem to find any info on age limits. Thanks.

[notamummy10]

Kind of, it falls down to funding!! 16 - 19 get their apprenticeship funded for them by the government and the organisation gets money too, with 19 - 23 year olds the organisation has to pay 50% and so does the apprentice and 24+ the apprentice has to fully fund it themselves!

Also the employer would have to pay you the NMW for your age category, rather than the NMW for apprentice!

[notamummy10]

So employers would rather take on a 16-19 year old so they don't have to fund it and they don't have to pay their apprentices that much! The NMW for apprentices is £3.30!

[Teddy1970]

Right, thank you, I did wonder!

[FreeFromHarm]

I saw an apprenticeship to a fancied doing.. Wish we had paid internships in the uk , especially for the over 50's, we have so much to offer the workforce, there are some fantastic apprenticeships out there for teens nowadays

[FreeFromHarm]

Criminal isn't it how much teens get paid and you lose tax credits to so my ds told me , ludicrous

[OdinsLoveChild]

Apply for one (unless it states an age group).
Over 25's are paid the apprentice rate for the first 12 months (usually around £80-£120 a week). After 12 months they have to pay you the nmw for your age group.
More than half of all apprenticeships are taken by over 25's.
If you see one you want to do and you can live on the pitiful wage they offer then do it.

[Teddy1970]

Yes there are, there's a lot more help for school leavers now than when I was a youth!

[notamummy10]

I graduate from uni next year and have been trying to find an internship that isn't unpaid... It's been unsuccessful so far!

[FreeFromHarm]

Thank you, didn't realise that , will take a looksy

[BristolLFR]

Depends on the apprenticeship. We've got higher apprenticeships at the bank I work at (equivalent to a degree) and there's no age limit/ funding issue. We had a chap in his 30s on our departments most recent intake, and there's a lady in her 50s on one of the project management ones I think.

The criteria is that you can't have gone to university for the one in our dept, so grads can't get on as a way in to the role/ company

[Teddy1970]

I hope you find one soon notamummy10. I didn't know that Odins, I might give it a go then, I don't mind living on a lesser wage if it gives me the experience in the field I want, Thanks.

[FreeFromHarm]

Not many around unpaid, wish you all the luck

[Teddy1970]

Thanks Bristol very helpful..It's given me food for thought.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Doesn't stop at degrees, I am effectively a higher level apprentice for my PG Cert and at the same time I am the mentor for a 21 year old level 2 apprentice. Within certain industries all levels apprenticeships are happening.

[BristolLFR]

Would also add that our higher apprentices are paid about £22k and are permanent employees so have job security too. They're expected to move off and take a "normal" vacancy at the end to make space for a new apprentice/ cohort, but they stay employed with their apprenticeship team til they do

[CatsandCrisps]

Apprentice nmw increases in October to £3.40 and they must at least be for 30 hrs a week so you'll at least be paid £102.

What kind of area are you looking for, as pp has said, it comes down to funding available, a lot of employers can't afford to take people on over 24 if training organisations want to charge a load. Some places cover costs for those over 24 for certain courses so it all depends what you wanted to do!