Application guidance

An apprenticeship is a scheme which offers a paid job, combined with training to achieve industry recognised qualifications. Commonly viewed an alternative education option for young people between the ages of 16-25, however its important to remember there are no upper age limits and at Severn Trent we believe we have apprenticeships suitable for everyone.

By combining on-the-job training with study, apprenticeships are a brilliant way to gain an insight into the world of work, complete an industry training standard, gain qualifications and help take the first steps into a new career.

Apprenticeships have come a long way, no longer confined to vocational trades, at Severn Trent we now have apprentices studying at all levels from Intermediate apprenticeships through to Masters Degrees.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone who is:

• Aged 16 or over by the end of the school summer holidays
• Living and eligible to work in the UK
• Not in full-time education

An apprentice spends 80% of their time working for an employer, and the rest of their time working towards industry recognised apprenticeship standards and nationally-certified qualifications.

These qualifications can include:

• Functional skills: GCSE level qualifications in English, Mathematics and ICT
• National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs): from level 2 (equal to five GCSEs) up to level 5 (postgraduate degree level)
• Technical certificates: BTECs, City and Guild Progression Awards etc.
• Academic qualifications: Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) foundation degree or the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree.

Our apprentices at Severn Trent study in a variety of ways depending on the schemes level and structure.

Generally, an apprentice on average will spend 20% of their time training, with college or with a training provider, or via remote learning platforms, such as online lectures. With 80% of the time working alongside experienced professionals, developing their industry knowledge and soft skills on the job.

Apprenticeships can last anywhere from one to six years depending on the level the apprentice is studying at.

They have been divided into FOUR tiers to suit different ages and abilities: intermediate, advanced, higher and degree. The level of apprenticeship that students can apply for all
depends on what qualifications and experience they already have.

Confused by what level your child should be applying to? Read on for a breakdown of each level...

All of our apprenticeship  programmes start at our base annual  salary of £17,194, we decided we wanted to pay our apprentices much higher than many other employers who choose to pay their apprentices the minimum wage. Salaries are reviewed every 12 months of their apprenticeship and the end of scheme salary will be based on the final role and level of training achieved.

Our Apprentices are also on entitled to the all-employee reward and benefits, available in the specific part of the business they join.

The typical hours for our apprentices are between 37-40 hours per week, which includes any time spent studying at college or in training. The specific hours will be linked to the level and role they apply for.

We hire apprentices for the future, and offer all of our apprentices a role at the end of their scheme, so long as they have passed their qualification commitment, as well as behaviour and performance reviews.

We have apprentices based all across the UK and find that the majority of the time, one of the benefits of our apprenticeships are that you are often based at a site near to you home.

However, If your child is worried about missing out on the ‘university experience’, they may want to consider applying to apprenticeships further afield, or for one of our 'residential' apprenticeships which offer accommodation if home is based over 30 miles from the training location. (Only available on our operational or maintenance schemes.)

Your child interested in applying for an apprenticeship, what next?

Pointthem in the direction of the following so that they can find the right scheme

• View Severn Trent's latest apprenticeships and apply online, you can find out more information.
• For the latest apprenticeship news from us, follow Severn Trent Life on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
  
• If you can't see what you’re looking for with us, don't worry, the government's 'Find an Apprenticeship' tool is a great way to search for all kinds of apprenticeships.
  

Parent’s Guide to Apprenticeships – a useful guide to an apprenticeship’s main benefits.

Search for an apprenticeship – a search engine detailing all apprenticeships in England

No, you do not need any experience in the subject you are applying for. We only assess on skills and strengths as opposed to experience.

We offer apprenticeships all the way form Level 2, equivalent of a GCSE up to level 7, equivalent of a master’s degree.

Yes, all apprentices will be guaranteed a role on completion of their apprenticeship.

We understand you may be attracted to more than one of our wonderful apprenticeship schemes, and whilst we allow more than one application, we’d ask you to try and narrow down the business area you’d like to work in by attending one of our events and speaking with our team, or using our ‘Find your fit’ online quiz. 

Yes, our graduates are offered an off-scheme role, however, it is also based on performance on programme. 

We would be expecting you to continue to develop and push yourself while on programme to be successful in securing your off-scheme role.

As a regional business we like to recruit people who are invested in our local communities, but we recognise certain skills can be scarce and on occasion, we need to look further afield.

You must meet the Home Office visa eligibility criteria for right to work in the UK and you should check this before you make an application to any of our programmes.

We will be required to process your application in line with the Home Office rules that apply at the time of your application.

Please note, you will be responsible for any individual application costs related to your right to work.

We’re not able to sponsor work visas for internships or industrial placements.

However, if you’re in full time education in the UK you may be able to take up work as part of your studies or during your holiday period in accordance with Home Office rules.

You would be required to provide us with a letter from your university to prove you’re working in accordance with your education and visa conditions.