Challenge your preconceptions
Engineering Apprenticeships In Hampshire
Find An Engineering Apprenticeship
An engineering career offers endless opportunities depending on what you are interested in studying and where you want to work. Whether you want to be involved in Welding and Fabrication, CNC Turning and Milling and electronics or are looking for a career in Product Design and Maintenance. An engineering apprenticeship is a real job with real pay and a dedicated employer who wants to see you succeed.
PETA works with industry-leading engineering employers such as H+S Aviation, AirBus Defence, Task Welding and more. All employers are checked, trained and dedicated to ensuring your apprenticeship gives you the experience you need to kickstart your engineering career.
Why choose an engineering apprenticeship with PETA?
PETA is here to provide impartial, expert advice on all aspects of training and apprenticeships for careers in engineering. Our engineering apprenticeship FAQs aim to answer some of the most common questions posed to us every day.
What is an engineering apprenticeship?
An engineering apprenticeship provides aspiring engineers with the opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills, behaviours and experience needed to become an engineer. This is typically accomplished by combining study with on-the-job training.
Apprentices spend 20% of their working hours completing off-the-job training. This can include shadowing, mentoring and in-house training and workshops related to the apprenticeship. At the end of your course, your knowledge and skills will be assessed which leads to a nationally-recognised qualification.
What are the benefits of an engineering apprenticeship?
The key benefits of an apprenticeship are that it combines readiness to work with the acquisition and development of industry recognised knowledge, skills and behaviours identified by employers within the industry.
As well as gaining a nationally-recognised qualification, you’ll also earn a wage from the beginning. As you gain more skills and experience, your wages may increase. Unlike university, you do not have to pay tuition fees to enrol in an apprenticeship which means you can enjoy a debt-free education. On-the-job training will see you working closely with your employer and colleagues throughout your apprenticeship.
Is engineering a good career choice?
As an engineer, you will tackle real-life problems and try to find the best solutions. This will often involve collaborating with other engineers, customers and suppliers. In the world of engineering, there are a number of opportunities to make a positive difference in the world. For example, you can help to create solutions that are more eco-friendly or you can help build life-saving medical equipment.
Engineering requires a unique set of skills and as such, it is one of the highest-paying sectors. According to Prospects, starting salaries for engineers can reach up to £35,000.
How much will I earn as an apprentice?
An apprenticeship in engineering will generally involve four elements: studying, shadowing, supervised work and assessments.
When you’re not in the classroom, you’ll either be shadowing the existing engineers at your company or carrying out practical work yourself. When shadowing other engineers, they’ll talk you through the various aspects of their work and show you how it’s done.
Gradually, you’ll start to carry out some supervised work under the instruction of other engineers. At the end of the course, your skills and knowledge will be assessed resulting in a nationally-recognised qualification. This can be through a combination of coursework, written essays, written exams and practical exams. You can also expect to develop industry-relevant skills, knowledge and behaviours and become a valued member of the workforce.
Where does training take place?
Apprenticeships require at least two GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent). Two of these GCSEs must be Maths and English. Depending on the level, some apprenticeships may also require additional qualifications.
However, 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 much will I be paid in an engineering apprenticeship?
How much you earn as an apprentice will depend on your age and the company you work for, but to give an idea, the current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £4.81 per hour for those aged between 16 and 18 years old. For someone aged 19 or over and in their first year of their apprenticeship, the minimum wage is £4.81 per hour.
If you are aged 19 or over and have completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage rate. You can find the most up-to-date rates here. Ultimately, your salary will be determined by your employer but apprentices are often paid more than minimum wage.
What career prospects can you expect after completing an engineering apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship in engineering can open many doors and opportunities once completed. This can include continuing to work as a qualified engineer for the employer that you completed your apprenticeship with. You could also continue with your education and progress on to a higher level apprenticeship. This will allow you to further enhance your skills and gain additional qualifications.
Alternatively, you could take the skills, knowledge and experience you’ve gained and branch out into employment with another company.