Apprenticeships, Traineeships and T Levels

Female mechanic fixing car, young man watching.

Young people must stay in education or training until the age of 18. This means that if you decide to work full time (more than 20 hours a week) you will have to combine your job with some sort of training. 

A good way to do this is to do a T-level or an apprenticeship or traineeship which helps you to earn while you learn. 

T-Levels

T Levels are courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels.

These 2-year courses, which launched September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study.

T Levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and ‘on-the-job’ experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).

What is an apprenticeship

An apprenticeship is a paid job with training, where you will:

  • earn a wage
  • gain a nationally recognised qualification.

The time an apprenticeship can take varies from one to five years, depending on the type of apprenticeship.

You can check this option instead of going straight to university from school or college.

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 living in England. There will be different requirements depending on the type of apprenticeship.

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What is a traineeship

You can find a traineeship if you:

  • are aged 16 to 24 years and qualified up to and including Level 3 (equivalent to A Level)
  • would like to have an apprenticeship or job, but do not yet have the necessary skills.

Traineeships involves essential training, helping you to gain maths and English skills and work experience. 

Not in education, employment or training (NEET)

You must stay in education or training up until the age of 18.

The options available are:

  • full time education at school or college
  • an apprenticeship or traineeship
  • other full time work including volunteering alongside part-time education or training, and re-engagement provision for those previously out of learning.

If you are at risk of becoming NEET, the Post 16 team within the Virtual School in Slough Children First, provides support to help you find:

  • education
  • employment or training.

For details email nathan.richardson@sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk.

What is volunteering

Volunteering is when you choose to give your time to help others, either in the local community or elsewhere.

It can be:

  • formal or informal
  • individual or in groups
  • indoors or outdoors.

Volunteers don’t get paid but get:

  • the satisfaction of helping others
  • a chance to make new friends
  • an opportunity to develop new skills.

Volunteers can help in administration, IT, care for children/elderly people, accountancy, gardening and sports.

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