Becoming an Apprentice

What does being an apprentice mean?

Starting your apprenticeship journey

An apprenticeship with VQ Solutions is a golden ticket to a flourishing career. Our programmes are perfectly tailored for school and college leavers, providing the opportunity to kick-start your career whilst also earning a wage. This incredible balance of practical training combined with academic learning ensures that you gain invaluable, first-hand experience in your chosen field, all while achieving a nationally recognised qualification.

This blend of theory and practice does more than just prepare you for the job market. It equips you with a deep, practical understanding of your profession, enhancing your employability and increasing your value to prospective employers. VQ Solutions is not just about preparing you for a job; it's about laying the foundation for a successful career.

Starting your apprenticeship journey
Upskilling

VQ Solutions offers a range of apprenticeships designed to help existing staff members upskill and enhance their career prospects. These aren't merely qualifications, but a stepping stone towards personal and professional growth. By merging work with study, you'll optimise your skill set and acquire new competencies, creating openings for career advancement and increased earning potential.

In any industry, continuous learning is essential to stay relevant. With an apprenticeship from VQ Solutions, you'll embark on a strategic journey of learning and career development, ensuring you retain your value in an ever-changing industry.

Upskilling
Apprenticeships
Learn by Doing: Earn While You Train
Starting an apprenticeship lets you gain hands-on experience in your chosen field while working towards a recognised qualification. Applying theory directly to real-world tasks speeds up learning and helps you develop practical competence and confidence in your trade or profession.

Because apprenticeships focus on employer-led skills, you acquire the exact knowledge businesses are looking for, boosting your employability and career prospects on completion. This practical route often leads to faster progression into skilled roles than classroom-only alternatives.
Financial and Professional Advantages
Apprentices earn a salary as they learn, making this pathway an attractive alternative to tuition-dependent study and helping you avoid student debt. Being paid from day one supports financial independence while you build a career.

Working within a real workplace enables you to form professional networks and develop vital soft skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. These interpersonal strengths, combined with technical ability, lay a strong foundation for long-term success and advancement across sectors.
Programme Areas
Human Resources

As a CIPD accredited centre, we are able to offer both the Level 5 People Profession and the Level 3 HR Support apprenticeships. We also offer the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management as a standalone course

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Marketing

Our expert team of marketing tutors delivers outstanding Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketing and Level Marketing Executive apprenticeships through online lessons, online learning, and one-to-one support. Our apprenticeships are aligned with membership of the CIM.

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Network Cable Installer & ICT

As Cisco Networking Academy, CompTIA Academy and City and Guilds Approved Centre, we deliver Level 4 Network Engineer, Level 3 Network Cable Installer and Level 3 ICT apprenticeships. We are the largest provider of Network Cable Installer apprenticeships in the UK.

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Business & Management

We deliver a mix of management and business apprenticeships, including the Level 5 Ops / Departmental Manager, Level 3 Team Leader and Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeships. Our management programmes align with CIM and ILM Membership.

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Financial Benefits of Apprenticeships
Earn While You Learn: Get Paid to Up-skill
Apprenticeships and vocational programmes let you earn a salary while gaining practical skills on the job. Rather than taking on student loans, learners receive regular pay, workplace mentorship and nationally recognised qualifications — meaning you build experience and a CV from day one.

This route reduces financial pressure: you avoid tuition fees and debt repayments, and many employers cover training costs. The hands-on environment also fast-tracks employability, with many apprentices offered permanent roles or promoted internally once qualified.
University Debt: High Cost, Delayed Earnings
University often requires significant borrowing to cover tuition and living expenses, leaving graduates with long-term repayments that can affect career and life choices. While degrees provide deep theoretical knowledge and certain career pathways, the financial burden may delay milestones like buying a home or starting a family.

Furthermore, many graduates find their first roles are entry-level or unrelated to their degree, meaning the return on investment can be uncertain. Comparing costs, time-to-earnings and practical experience helps prospective students choose the pathway that best suits their goals.
Benefits of Being an Apprentice
1
Less Debt

Apprentices will not be lumped with thousands of pounds of debt like university graduates.

2
Earn While Learning

Apprentices contribute productively while gaining practical, paid experience.

3
Tailored Skill Development

Train talent to fit specific company processes and culture from day one.

4
Increased Retention

Apprentices tend to stay longer, boosting loyalty and reducing churn.

5
Fresh Perspectives

Inject energy and contemporary ideas that revitalise team dynamics and innovation.

6
National Qualifications

Gain nationally recognised credentials that raise team competence and credibility.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do apprentices get paid and have the same employment rights as employees?
Yes. As an apprentice you’re paid by your employer and hold full employment rights, just like any other member of staff. That includes a contract, paid holidays and statutory protections. VQ Solutions supports employers to set fair pay structures aligned to role and sector.
When will I study, and are study hours included in paid time?
Study takes place within your paid working hours. Off-the-job learning is scheduled with your manager, so you’re never expected to study unpaid or out of hours. VQ Solutions plans a timetable that balances business needs with your progression and assessment milestones.
How long do programmes last with the increased flexibility from August 2025?
Programme length depends on role, level and study intensity. From August 2025, increased flexibility allows more study hours, often shortening overall duration. VQ Solutions tailors delivery so intensified routes can complete sooner, while standard pacing maintains quality without disrupting operations.
What qualifications will I gain, and are they recognised by employers?
You’ll earn an employer-recognised apprenticeship certificate on successful completion. Many programmes also include additional industry credentials. VQ Solutions map qualifications to career goals to maximise employability and progression within your organisation, ensuring outcomes are valued by hiring managers and professional bodies.
Does the Level 5 People Professional include the CIPD Associate Diploma?
Yes. Our Level 5 People Professional apprenticeship includes the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management, delivered alongside the apprenticeship standard. Learners gain dual recognition, strengthening HR credibility, while employers benefit from CIPD-aligned practice embedded directly into workplace projects and assessments.
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