Apprenticeship FAQs for individuals
Answers to common questions asked by individuals wanting to do an apprenticeship, or their parents/carers. If you are an employer exploring apprenticeships for your staff, please visit our FAQs for employers
The basics
An apprenticeship is a paid job where you gain practical experience and complete training towards nationally recognised industry standards of skills, knowledge & behaviours.
You are employed like any other job, but you also complete a structured training programme as part of the role.
You have a contract, a salary, a job role, and workplace rights and responsibilities, like any employee.
An apprenticeship standard sets out the skills, knowledge and behaviours that industry employers have agreed an apprentice needs to have to be to be competent in that job, and pass the assessment.
Employment
Yes. All apprentices are paid, with the salary agreed by the employer.
Yes. Apprenticeships combine training with practical work experience, and you need to be employed by an employer to do one.
You need to be employed to start an apprenticeship. If you are unemployed, the best next step is to apply for an apprenticeship vacancy with an employer. TRS does have some apprenticeships available at times.
Click here to see our current apprenticeship vacancies with employers in different parts of the country.
No, not necessarily. Many people complete an apprenticeship with their current employer.
Yes, as long as your job role is relevant and will give you the chance to develop the skills required on the job. Your employer needs to agree to you doing the apprenticeship.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must be aged 16+, live and work in England, have the right to work in the UK, and be employed in a suitable job role. Some apprenticeships have additional entry requirements.
Yes. Apprenticeships are available to people aged 16 and over, with no upper age limit.
Yes. Apprenticeships are ideal for adults looking to upskill, retrain or change careers.
Choosing the right apprenticeship
Think about your career goals, interests, and the skills you want to develop.
Before you enrol on a TRS apprenticeship, we will ensure you have in-depth information, advice and guidance on levels, industry pathways, and suitable apprenticeships. We will ask you what your long term career plans are to ensure that you enrol on the right apprenticeship for your current job role but also for your long term career plans. This is part of our Correct Course Correct Career promise.
Yes. Apprenticeships range from Level 2 (GCSE level) up to Level 6/7 (degree and master’s level).
This depends on your existing skills, experience and qualifications, and your long term aims. TRS can advise on the most suitable starting level.
Apprenticeships focus on practical, job-specific skills. Even if you already have qualifications, an apprenticeship can still add value and experience.
Training
Exactly what you do on your apprenticeship will differ depending on the apprenticeship you are on. However, all apprenticeships are a mix of on-the-job practice, coaching, workshops, online classroom sessions run by your skill coach, and regular reviews.
It is paid learning time within your working hours, which you get to attend training sessions, undertake study time, projects, or skills development in the workplace through activities such as work shadowing. For each apprenticeship, there is a minimum about of off-the-job hours you must have completed. You will log these with the guidance of your TRS skills coach.
Yes. Off-the-job training is a required part of an apprenticeship. If this is ever an issue once you enrol, please speak to your TRS skills coach urgently.
Apprenticeships can take 8 to 24 months, depending on the level and programme.
This depends on your age and existing qualifications. If you are under 19 and have not achieved GCSE maths & English then you will need to do maths & English on your apprenticeship. Anyone over 19 who doesn’t have these qualifications is not required to do maths & English on their apprenticeship. However, we do encourage it where these skills are an important part of the job role. It is usually the employer who decides whether their apprentice who are 19 or over should do these skills or not.
Assessment
Apprenticeships are assessed at the end and include different elements depending on the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship assessment could include a practical assessment, a portfolio of evidence, a multiple choice test, a professional discussion, a presentation or other assessment methods, and is usually a mix of several of these. Your TRS skills coach will help you prepare for your assessment.
You will usually receive feedback and have the opportunity to re-sit or re-submit, depending on the assessment rules.
You will achieve the qualification linked to your apprenticeship standard. Sometimes you will receive an additional certification or qualification eg HGV licence or Transport Manager CPC depending on the apprenticeship you have taken. Because TRS offers bolt-on courses for most of our apprenticeships, you are likely to get additional certifications.
Many apprentices move into permanent employment, progress to a higher-level apprenticeship, or step into a more senior role. We also encourage you to consider progressing onto the next level of apprenticeship in line with your career goals.
Support
TRS provides ongoing support throughout your apprenticeship, not just at the start or end. This includes regular progress reviews, one-to-one support where needed, and access to a dedicated team who can be contacted by phone or email.
TRS offers individualised support based on your needs. This may include reasonable adjustments to learning, assessment methods, training delivery, or workplace support. Support is discussed and agreed early so it can be put in place from the start.
Yes. Any neurodivergent learner can succeed in apprenticeships. TRS works with you to understand how you learn best and can put appropriate support strategies and adjustments in place to help you progress.
Yes. Apprentices aged 16–18 receive additional support and monitoring. TRS has clear safeguarding procedures and a duty of care to support young people and vulnerable adults while they are on programme.
If you are struggling, TRS will work with you and your employer to identify the issue early and agree practical support, such as extra coaching, revision sessions, or adjustments to your learning plan.
If you are unwell or need time off, you should inform TRS and your employer as soon as possible. Training can usually be rescheduled or adjusted, and support will be put in place to help you get back on track.
TRS takes learner safety seriously. Support is underpinned by clear safeguarding policies, trained staff, and procedures to ensure learners feel safe, supported, and able to raise concerns at any time.
Any TRS apprentice who has a serious concern about their safety and wellbeing should speak to their skills coach or complete our Report A Concern form and someone will answer within one working day
If you have not been on the course for more than 8 weeks, you can usually swap apprenticeships. We can provide guidance on switching programmes or finding a better fit based on your career goals however we have multiple steps to ensure that you are on the right course before going through enrolment.
You should inform your employer and your TRS tutor. Training can usually be rearranged or adjusted.
Costs
No. Apprentices do not pay for their training. The cost of training is covered by Government funding.
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