Apprenticeships are real jobs – a chance to gain valuable qualifications alongside real-world working experience. It’s possible to do an apprenticeship in pretty much anything, at any age. With an apprenticeship, you’re on a clear career route. There’s a plan in place and a pathway for you to take, and you’ll earn your salary from your very first day on the job.
Highways Maintenance – Asset Surfacing
“I really wanted to get stuck in with physical work,” said the former Mary Webb School student from Pontesbury. “I’m fascinated by landscaping and groundworking, so it seemed like the sort of work for me. I love the ‘before and after’ of any job I work on. I get to see how the land lays and after finishing our work, there’s a brand-new road that completely changes the landscape.”
Business Administration – Berriman Eaton
Millie says: “I have gained confidence and skills in communicating, active listening, negotiation and commercial awareness. My daytoday tasks in the office have helped me with my business administration course as I can relate to a lot of subjects we cover.”
Engineering Technician – i2r Packaging
Abigail has gained national recognition as a trailblazer for women in engineering. She says: “I wanted a hands-on learning approach, rather than going to university. The apprenticeship has motivated me to strive for success – I am proof that an apprenticeship can teach a person all they need to know, and they don’t need to be afraid of taking that jump.”
Mechatronics Maintenance Engineering Muller Dairies
Harry has been mentoring local secondary school students in our advanced manufacturing centre. He says: “At their age, I didn’t realise how much practical work there was, and I wasn’t in tune with what a career in the trade would actually be like. It’s nice to see how far I’ve come too.”
Shaun applied to Breedon for the role of Surfacing Operative as a more mature candidate, and was named our Apprentice of the Year for 2024. The reports back from his manager are outstanding. They talk about Shaun being a role model on the programme and completing all work to an incredibly high standard. Staff say: “The feedback from the gang he works with is amazing. His manager has said that Shaun is a dream to manage and have as part of the gang. He has adapted to his role and being part of the gang in a very short space of time.”
More than a quarter of a million people sign up for apprenticeships every year, and one in four of those are aged under 19. As an apprentice, at least 20% of your normal working hours must be spent on training. Your training might happen every week, every month or in a separate block of time.
