Adult Apprenticeships: How To Get An Adult Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to get your foot in the door of a new industry, gain a qualification and earn while you learn. They are popular amongst 16-24 year olds since they’re an alternative to going down the traditional college and university route, giving school leavers a head start in their chosen career. But can you do apprenticeships at any age? 

Don’t assume that apprenticeships are just for 16 year olds – you can never be too old to be an apprentice! There are adult apprenticeships available for those who are at different stages of their lives who want to pursue this kind of training.

At Avant Skills Academy, we offer a range of adult apprenticeships across Hull and Grimsby that help our learners of all ages progress in their career. So let’s dive into how to get an adult apprenticeship.

What Are Adult Apprenticeships?

Adult apprenticeships is a term given to courses for those who are more mature than the typical school leaver becoming an apprentice. But in fact, all apprenticeships can technically be adult apprenticeships since they are available to all age groups. They’re a great way for people to learn a new skill and progress in their career. Adult apprenticeships can last anywhere from one year onwards depending on which one you choose (there are so many options available), some of the popular ones we offer are; content creator, business admin, hairdressing, and data technician among others.

At the end of the course you will gain a qualification and (hopefully) be offered a full time role at your place of work where you did your apprenticeship. If not, with the skills and experience you have gained throughout the course will be highly attractive to employers in your industry so finding a job after completing your adult apprenticeship is achievable. 

Why Choose Adult Apprenticeships?

There are many benefits of apprenticeships for older adults, more than you may think in fact. You may already have a successful career but feel unfulfilled, maybe you desire a switch in fields? Well, an adult apprenticeship could be your gateway to gaining a job in a new industry; providing you with the hands-on experience to be confident in your new role once gaining your qualification.

On the other hand, mature apprenticeships are also beneficial for those wanting to move up the career ladder. You could already be in an industry that you are happy with but maybe you want more responsibility? In that case, there are management apprenticeships you can do to upskill, helping you achieve that promotion you’ve always dreamed of. As you can see, apprenticeships aren’t just for school leavers; they are a fantastic way to move on up in your job and gain valuable experience in your chosen industry. When you choose an adult apprenticeship, you choose success. 

Why become an apprentice

Can You Do Apprenticeships At Any Age?

One question many people tend to ask is: ‘can you do apprenticeships at any age?’ The answer is yes. However there are some things you need to be aware of when it comes to apprenticeships for older adults. First of all, the apprentice wage. Apprentices get paid less than minimum wage (apprentice wage) during their time on course. However, for those who are 19 and over they will only be paid apprentice wage for the first year of their apprenticeship, after that it has to go up to at least minimum wage for your age group. 

Although there are some employers out there who will choose to pay their apprentices more than they legally are obliged to; this is still something to consider especially for those who are used to earning more money. For many of those who have just left school, an apprenticeship is their first form of employment so the pay is a benefit for them as they are earning while learning. But this can be a significant adjustment for those who are already in full time employment and used to earning more than minimum wage.

Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forwards. And this is especially true if for example you work in admin and wish to be in a more leadership role so you are doing an operations management apprenticeship – the job role that you will be pursuing after completing the course may be higher pay than what you were previously on. Therefore by doing an apprenticeship you will be in a better position at the end as you will have gained valuable skills and experience, opening up more opportunities for future prospects.

Mature Apprenticeships Available

Mature apprenticeships are a great way to progress in your career without having to go to university. You can earn while you learn and gain valuable experience that makes you attractive to potential employers. Having this qualification under your belt can give you a head start in your desired role. But it’s important that you choose the right one. Here are some of the mature apprenticeships you can choose to further your career:

Business administrator:

A business administrator apprenticeship is a versatile choice as it opens the door to many different industries. You will learn skills and behaviours such as organisation, time management, and effective communication. Your job could either be placed in a small or large organisation and once completing the course you could have the opportunity to work your way up through the company and explore different departments.

Content creator:

For our creative individuals, a content creator apprenticeship for older adults is an exceptional opportunity for you to get the chance to work on real life projects and learn from industry leaders. Whether social media or graphics design is your passion; you will be able to explore these roles first hand to really get your creative juices flowing.

Data technician:

Maybe you’re more of an analytical person. Then a data technician apprenticeship will be right up your street. Your day to day may involve data analysis, data manipulation, data visualisation, and data security tasks; opening the door for career prospects in finance, healthcare or education.

Team leader:

If you already have a job you like and want more leadership responsibilities, then a team leader apprenticeship is a great way to work your way up into a management position. This could lead to job opportunities in team leader, project manager and shift supervisor roles.

Operations manager:

If you want to develop essential management skills then take a look at an operations manager apprenticeship. This is where you will learn change management, performance management, and stakeholder engagement processes making gaining a higher managerial and leadership role in your organisation achievable. 

construction apprenticeship

How To Get An Adult Apprenticeship With Avant Skills Academy

Now that you’ve decided apprenticeships for older adults are right for you, you’re probably wondering how to get an adult apprenticeship. At Avant Skills Academy we have a range of apprenticeships available that are suitable for learners of all ages looking to kick start their career in a new field or looking to upskill in their existing role. With our connection with many thriving business and expert mentors who will support you every step of the way – you’re guaranteed for success. Take a look at our apprenticeships available or get in touch with Avant Skills Academy and invest in your future today!