With National Apprenticeship Week taking place this week 11 – 15 March (#NAW2013), it’s a great time to find out about apprenticeships and the different career options open to you. Apprenticeships are a new and exciting route into the creative industries giving you real experience of employment and invaluable access to industry networks.
Getting into the creative industries can be a competitive process but with an apprenticeship you’ll have the opportunity to impress employers and contacts straight away. Through on-the-job training at work combined with studying at college, you’ll gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to get ahead in your creative career.
So what do apprenticeships involve?
You’ll be employed by a relevant company to learn a specific role as well as spending time at college. A college or training organisation can find work for you, you could already be working and switch over to an apprenticeship, or you might find an apprenticeship vacancy yourself. Visit the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) website for more information and advice on finding vacancies.
Your college will work with you and your employer to agree a training plan that suits you both. Once the apprenticeship has started you’ll receive training to teach you the skills needed for your job and prepare you for work in the creative industries. At the end of your apprenticeship you’ll be assessed at work to see what you’ve learnt.
What apprenticeships are out there?
For creative apprenticeships there are three levels available in England:
- Intermediate Level or Level 2 apprenticeships are comparable with 5 GCSEs A* – C and relate to starting or entry-level roles.
- Advanced Level or Level 3 apprenticeships are comparable with 2 A levels. Typical roles that come under this level are supporting roles.
- Higher Level or Level 4 apprenticeships are comparable with the first year of university and include roles that may require specific knowledge or responsibility. Creative Skillset has launched the first Higher Level Apprenticeships in the Creative Industries covering advertising and marketing communications, creative and digital media and fashion and textiles.
How much will it cost?
Apprenticeships offer you the opportunity to earn whilst you complete your training. You should be paid at least minimum wage for apprentices by your employer throughout your apprenticeship. Depending on how old you are there are different levels of government funding available. Training for apprenticeships for 16-18-year-olds is funded by government. Training for apprenticeships for 19-24-year-olds is part-funded and your employer will need to make up the rest. For over 25-year-olds the employer pays for the training.
How long does it take?
That depends on the employer you are matched with, the trainer and how long it takes you to achieve the qualification. As a guide, this could be anything from 10 months to two years.
What will I learn?
You’ll learn the technical and creative knowledge and skills needed to build your career. You’ll work towards a recognised qualification and you’ll also be credited for other skills valued by employers, such as team work, health and safety, communication and creative-thinking.
What types of jobs are available?
There are many entry-level jobs across the creative industries but some typical examples could be a runner in a post-production house, a trainee garment machinist or an assistant at a web design agency. If you take a higher apprenticeship the jobs available will be at a higher level such as trainee account manager.
How will it benefit me?
Doing an apprenticeship will help open doors to contacts in the creative industries, provide paid work and give you the skills and experience employers are asking for. You’ll receive a certificate of completion and gain a nationally recognised qualification. Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship you may be offered a job with your employer or you could use your qualifications to get into further or higher education.
To hear from fashion and textiles, creative and digital media and advertising and marketing communications apprentices from across England about why an apprenticeship was right for them, view the videos on the Creative Skillset YouTube channel.
The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has also launched a new film as part of a “Spotlight on sectors” all about apprenticeships in the creative sector. Take a look at the video, here.
Find out more
For more information about apprenticeships in the creative industries, please visit www.creativeskillset.org/apprenticeships
Image: Shutterstock