Apprenticeships that power change

An apprenticeship allows learners to earn while they learn, combining real workplace experience with expert training to build the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for long-term career success.

Apprenticeships combine on-the-job training with structured learning, helping individuals gain recognised skills and workplace experience while earning a salary. They can be used to support both new hires and existing employees across a wide range of roles and industries.

Employers often work with an apprenticeship training provider, such as QA, to deliver the programme and develop skills across their organisation.

Together, they identify skills needs, select the right apprenticeship pathways and support learners throughout their training, helping individuals gain recognised qualifications while building capability in key business areas.

Apprenticeships are suitable for both new hires and existing employees. Organisations can use apprenticeships to attract and develop new talent, or to upskill current team members with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress in their role.

For new recruits, apprenticeships provide a structured route into a career, combining practical workplace experience with expert training. For existing employees, they offer an opportunity to build new capabilities, gain recognised qualifications and develop skills in areas that support both individual career progression and organisational growth.

Apprenticeships are available at different levels, allowing learners to develop skills and qualifications that match their experience, responsibilities and career goals. Each level is aligned to an occupational standard, helping individuals build the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in their role.

Apprenticeship levels differ across the UK. In England, programmes range from Level 2 through to Level 7, including degree-level apprenticeships, while Scotland uses the Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeship framework. It's the role of the training provider to help organisations assign the best programme and level for each candidate. 

For learners, apprenticeships provide  a salary while gaining practical workplace experience, developing in-demand skills and working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

Apprenticeships can also offer an alternative to traditional university study, allowing individuals to start or progress their careers without taking on student tuition fee debt.

For employers, apprenticeships are an effective way to attract new talent and upskill existing employees. Programmes are designed around occupational standards, helping businesses build the capabilities they need to support growth, productivity and innovation.

Many employers can also access apprenticeship funding through the Growth and Skills Levy, making apprenticeships a cost-effective way to invest in workforce development.

A degree apprenticeship combines university-level study with practical workplace experience, allowing learners to earn a salary while working towards both a degree and an apprenticeship qualification. It provides a route to gaining higher-level skills and recognised qualifications without paying traditional university tuition fees.

QA offers apprenticeships across a wide range of digital, technology and business disciplines, helping organisations build the skills needed for the future. Programmes are available in areas including AI, data, cyber security, software development, cloud and IT, digital marketing, project management, business analysis and leadership.

Designed in partnership with employers and aligned to industry-recognised standards, QA apprenticeships help learners develop practical, job-ready skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace. 

Apprenticeships are not just for new hires. Many organisations use apprenticeships to upskill existing employees, helping them develop new skills, gain recognised qualifications and progress into more advanced roles.