Types of apprenticeships

An apprenticeship provides the perfect blend of learning at a college or training provider, with on-site experience. This gives apprentices the right mix of learning and technical skills, quickly adding value as an employee to any construction business.

Apprenticeships offer access to the widest range of construction trades across the UK. The types of apprenticeships available is different in each area:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales

England

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of construction trades and varying levels of qualifications throughout England.

Traditional Apprenticeships - including Technical and Supervisory at Level 3

A Traditional Apprenticeship combines studying at college, for example the National Construction College or a training provider, with experience on-site over a two to three year period. This is the most common way to get qualified and is available across the UK.

Apprenticeships lead to industry recognised qualifications which will qualify your apprentice for one of the industry card schemes – essential for getting on-site.

As an employer you may also be able to claim CITB Grant to support you throughout an apprenticeship and following successful completion of the apprenticeship.

For further information, take a look at claiming available grants.

Specialist Applied-skills Programmes (SAPs)

Specialist Applied-skills Programmes (SAPs) are developed through partnerships with trade associations, federations and employers in specialist sectors.

SAPs are 18-month training programmes for new-entrants. The programmes lead to a vocational qualification (NVQ/SVQ) and are considered by trade associations and employers as 'sector apprenticeships’.

These new-entrant programmes are currently the only source of CITB grant recognised new- entrant training for the sectors involved.

New-entrants must have a full-time contract of direct employment with a CITB-registered employer.  There is no upper age restriction, 16+ years; however, employer preference tends to be 18+ years.

Shared Apprenticeship Services

Shared Apprenticeship Services (SAS) is a different approach to training.

Apprentices get a variety of on-site experience by working on high-profile projects for more than one employer, as well as completing a full Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Flexible Apprenticeships

Designed to make apprenticeships more flexible, to better meet the needs of employers and apprentices.

• the delivery of apprenticeship training can be flexed to meet employer needs; and
• the length of an apprenticeship can be reduced where an individual has existing relevant knowledge or skills.

Some employers are already making use of apprenticeship flexibilities and are seeing the benefits of this, in workforce satisfaction, productivity, and improved value for money.

This type of apprenticeship allows employers to think creatively about how they can tailor apprenticeship training to meet their needs. Be it through a flexible delivery model, such as front loading which can support apprentices new to the sector to hit the ground running, to delivering accelerated apprenticeships for more experienced individuals who are able to build on their existing skills and complete more quickly.

To find out more about front loading, download the manual: Flexible Apprenticeships in Construction (PDF, 1MB)

Or visit www.gov.uk/employing-an-apprentice for more information.

Scotland

CITB Apprenticeships offer a wide range of construction trades throughout Scotland

Modern Apprenticeships - including Technical and Supervisory at Level 3

A Modern Apprenticeship combines studying at college or training provider, with experience on-site over a two, three or four year period depending on age and experience. This is the most common way to get qualified and is available across the UK.

Apprenticeships lead to industry recognised qualifications which will qualify your apprentice for one of the industry card schemes – essential for getting on-site.

As an employer you may also be able to claim CITB Grant to support you throughout an apprenticeship and following successful completion of the apprenticeship.

For further information, take a look at our page on claiming available grants.

Wales

Apprenticeships are available across a wide range of construction trades and varying levels of qualifications throughout Wales. They usually combine studying at college or training provider, with experience on-site over 12 – 42 months.

Trade Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships lead to industry recognised qualifications which will qualify your apprentice for one of the industry card schemes – essential for getting on-site.

There are many diverse apprenticeships to choose from including plastering, scaffolding, bricklaying and carpentry, but there are plenty of others that might just surprise you. 

Find out more on Go Construct. 

CITB’s Specialist Trade Contract (also known as a Niche Contract)

Where a trade apprenticeship provision does not exist in Wales, CITB can facilitate apprenticeship provision in England and/or Scotland, fully funded by the Welsh Government.

Provision at CITB’s National Construction College (NCC) will be utilised where available; for apprenticeships not available at NCC our New Entrant Support Team (NEST) will identify suitable provision elsewhere and work with you to support your apprentice throughout their apprenticeship.

Levels of apprenticeship

Foundation apprenticeships (Level 2)

A Foundation apprenticeship is the first step on the apprenticeship ladder. They typically take 12 to 24 months to complete.

Apprenticeships (Level 3)

An apprenticeship is equivalent to two A Levels. Apprentices can work towards Level 3 work-based qualifications, such as a NVQ or apprenticeship qualification. They typically take 12 to 42 months to complete.

Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4 - 5)

Higher apprenticeships are programmes designed to meet employers’ needs at advanced skill levels and include qualifications at a level equivalent to higher education (HE). They take two years to complete, and often specialise in management-based skills.

Degree Apprenticeships (Level 6 – 7)

Degree apprenticeships typically last three to five years and are a popular training route in sectors such as quantity surveying and commercial management, building surveying, construction management and civil engineering. CITB are supporting a fully funded pathway in these areas at the following universities – University of South Wales, Wrexham University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint Davids. The universities will have set entry requirements for candidates.

As an employer you may also be able to claim CITB Grant to support you throughout an apprenticeship and following successful completion of the apprenticeship.

For further information, take a look at our page on claiming available grants. And  Wales Apprenticeship grants - CITB

Shared Apprenticeship Services (formerly - Shared Apprenticeship Scheme)

Shared Apprenticeship Services (SAS) is a different approach to training.

Apprentices get a variety of on-site experience by working on high-profile projects for more than one employer, as well as completing a full Level 3 Apprenticeship.