Apprenticeships Fact Sheet
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn. Generally, you will work 4 days a week and go to college or a training provider the other day a week to work towards a qualification. Apprenticeships are designed for people to get hands on experience in the workplace whilst studying part time towards a nationally recognised qualification. The National Minimum Wage for an apprentice is £2.60 per hour, however you may find that you earn more than this.
You will work toward a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at the level best suited to your needs (usually level 2 if you are at GCSE level). Advanced Apprenticeships are level 3 (equivalent to A Levels)
How do I get an apprenticeship?
The first step is to register on the National Apprenticeships website: and employers can then contact you if interested in your profile. You can also search and apply for apprenticeship opportunities on this website.
You can also visit to discover more about apprenticeships in Kent i.e. where to look, who to contact.
Use to search for apprenticeships in Medway. You can go onto and the ‘Jobs Live’ link to search for apprenticeships in the wider Kent area.
offers NVQ qualifications in Warehousing, Retail, Management, Health and Social Care, Engineering, Childcare, Customer Service, Admin, Automotive.
Kent County Council offer the Kent Success Apprenticeship scheme. Go onto and the Jobs and Careers section-click on apprenticeships and apply online. For more information email or telephone 0800 098 8825.
Do your own research:
You can contact employers directly by looking them up on or through family, friends or local businesses. You can send employers your CV and a covering letter and follow this up with a phone call. If you don’t have a CV, try looking on and the ‘Getting a Job’ section to find the CV Builder to create your own version. Youcan also ask your Connexions Personal Adviserbased in school for help with this.
Listed below are some useful contacts for specific apprenticeships:
BMW- apprenticeships in service, parts, bodyshop, motorcycle
Carillion (Sittingbourne)
Bricklaying, Painting and Decorating and Carpentry NVQ Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Call 01795 475123
IPS International- training centre for motor vehicle and engineering trades, as well as electrical, business administration, health and safety, adult care, customer service. IPS can help with the selection procedures for an apprenticeship.
Phone 01634 298800, MedwayCity Estate
JHP Training (Chatham)
Accountancy, Business Administration, Customer Service, IT, Retail, Warehouse, Elderly Care, Child Care, Catering and Hospitality, Procurement and Telephone Sales.
Phone 01634 842299 or book an appointment to see your Connexions Personal Adviser who can arrange a meeting for you.
JTL
Electrical Installation, Plumbing, Gas fitting.
Very useful website, try the ‘Is It For Me?’ Quiz to check your suitability.
K.E.Y. Training (Gillingham)
Administration, Customer Service, Hairdressing, Retail/Warehousing, Direct Care, Child Care, Catering, Hospitality, IT.
Contact:01634 577884 or FREEPHONE number 0800 731 4297 or email us
Mid KentCollege
Part time courses for apprenticeship training. You must have an employer prior to applying. Mainly September start dates.
Based in Gillingham and Maidstone.
REMIT
This is a training provider connected to the Motor Industry and links up possible apprentices with employers.
Ship Safe Training Group (Rochester)
Merchant Navy traineeships-engineering and deck officer roles.
01634 405252
This is a mixture of training providers, colleges and employer so make sure you research them online before contacting them.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact your local Connexions Access Point on 01634 334343, or talk to your adviser in school.