Apprenticeship Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Answering your questions about becoming an apprentice
Deciding what to do after you finish school or college is a huge decision and a choice that only you and your family can make.
PETA is here to provide impartial, expert advice on training and apprenticeships for careers in engineering, business, IT and management. Our FAQs aim to answer some of the most common questions posed to us every day.
What options do I have after I finish school?
Continue with full-time higher education at school or one of the fantastic local colleges in Hampshire.
Embark on the first stages of your career in full-time or part-time employment, or by volunteering.
Get the best of both worlds with an apprenticeship - a career plus the qualifications you'll need to progress in the future. Apprentices now have an amazing opportunity to achieve degree and masters level qualifications, without any of the student debt associated with traditional higher education.
I haven't achieved my English and Maths GCSEs, can I still apply?
Yes you can.
English and Maths GCSEs (Grade 4 -9) are mandatory requirements for all apprenticeships.
If you are yet to achieve this or no longer have your certificates, you will be automatically enrolled in Functional Skills at an appropriate level and will be expected to complete this alongside your apprenticeship.
How do I apply for an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships follow a similar process to a regular job application process.
You can apply directly with your training provider, who will meet with you to discuss your interests and help find the right career path for you.
Your training provider will then help manage the application process between you and the employer.
How much will I earn as an apprentice?
All apprentices must receive at least the national minimum wage set by the Government for which the current hourly rate can be viewed here.
Apprenticeship wages are set by the employer and are aligned with the type of apprenticeship and level of work you will be expected to do.
PETA actively encourages employers to pay above the minimum wage. Rates of pay are always advertised on PETA’s apprenticeship vacancy pages.
Where does training take place?
Most apprenticeship training will take place with your employer (on-the-job) and some training will take place at one of PETA’s training centres (off-the-job).
PETA Training Centre – Portsmouth
All Business, IT and Management training will take place at our Head Office in Cosham, Portsmouth.
PETA Engineering Centre – Havant
All Engineering training and related functional skills will take place at our engineering centre in Havant.
Apprenticeships - Delivery of remote training and education
The Pandemic and promoting the safety our Apprentices and staff has resulted in many of our learning programmes being delivered remotely. Whilst the situation with the virus continues to be of concern, we will continue to use this method of delivery, unless specific circumstances arise that require practical training in centre to be delivered. However, when implementing online teaching, our goal continues to be the delivery of high standards of education so that all our apprentices have the best opportunity to be successful. In delivering learning programmes, our commitment is to:
- Ensure we consider fully and adhere to guidelines and/or legislative requirements related to the Pandemic in the first instance
- Where remote learning is appropriate, plan the delivery of learning that offers the structure for individuals to build their knowledge and the best opportunity to develop skills reflective of the Apprenticeship they are studying
- Ensure lessons cover consistent material to classroom delivery combined with minor modifications to suit the change in delivery environment
- Encourage individuals to engage with their learning and, if where they are finding remote learning challenging or not suited to their learning style, to offer support and guidance to explore how we can help them to engage and succeed
- Communicate details of programmes and how they will be delivered including guidance on getting the best from their learning experience
- Maintain our commitment to accessibility and working with individuals with specific needs
- Ensure online delivery promotes a safe environment that keeps learners safe whether or not they are using PETA’s network or devices
- Set clear expectations of what is expected in a virtual learning environment; how to gain positive learning from the experience
- Provide support in reviewing progress and setting learning objectives, ensuring individuals understand when they will receive feedback and how
- Manage the learning hours required to ensure that individuals receive the expected study time
- Where necessary, and where we can safely do so, provide learning in the practical learning environment following struct COVID controls
If you have any questions regarding your Apprenticeship programme, your programme of learning and your progress towards your aspirations, please contact your Learning and Development Coach, Assessor, Tutor or Instructor, or contact as follows:
Email: enquire@peta.co.uk
Tel: 023 9253 8700
Dawn Halfacre
Director of Operations
Apprenticeship Open Days
Join us at our next Open Day where you can meet our tutors, see the training centre and learn more about apprenticeship programmes with key employers.
Apprentice Stories
We interviewed our apprentices to find out why they think apprenticeships are the perfect way for young people to kick start a career.