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
How long do VQ Solutions apprenticeship programmes typically run for completion?
Most programmes run between 12 and 24 months depending on level and sector. We set a personalised training plan and expected end-point assessment window for clear milestones.
Do I get paid as an apprentice?
Yes! When you get recruited as an apprentice you will receive a salary and are employed as a regular member of staff with all the usual employment rights.
Which recognised qualifications and accreditations will apprentices gain on completion?
Apprentices achieve nationally recognised qualifications from awarding bodies such as City & Guilds, Pearson and CIPD, plus an end-point assessment certificate aligned to occupational standards.
When do I do my apprenticeship work?
You must complete all apprenticeship work within working hours. This is made clear to your employer and forms part of your apprenticeship contract that the employer also needs to sign.
How do apprenticeships support career progression and employer return on investment?
Programmes develop technical skills and professional behaviours, increasing productivity and retention. We help map progression routes, succession planning and measure ROI through competency milestones and performance reviews.
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