Your Ultimate Guide to Government and Civil Service
Get your start as a civil servant through an apprentice route.
Apprenticeships are available across a range of different government bodies, from national bodies to local authorities.
Search Government Apprenticeships
The basics.
There’s never been a better time to get an apprenticeship. For starters, it’s a great way to learn new skills while earning a wage.
Apprenticeships are available at multiple levels. From school leavers, people upskilling in their careers and complete career changes. There are hundreds to choose from and some include a qualification, like a degree.
Entry requirements?
There are no national entry requirements for apprenticeships, so you’ll need to check each job spec with potential employers. Keep in mind that higher-level apprenticeships (level 4+) may expect you to have at least five GCSEs (grades nine to four) or two A-levels.
Aside from academic entry requirements, most employers will be interested in your personal skills; you’ll need to have a positive attitude to learning as you combine practice with theory, and good communication skills are always a plus.
Competition can be fierce for apprenticeships, but they’re worth fighting for if you want to hit the ground running in the world of work. The range of choice for apprenticeships grows every year, with more and more businesses offering opportunities of their own.
Before applying to any apprenticeships or attending any interviews, ensure that you have fully researched the role and the company. Impress your potential employer by showing off your knowledge!
Apprentice Levels
Apprenticeships are split into levels depending on length and the qualification that you receive at the end. Possible qualifications that you’ll get could be:
- Level 2 (intermediate) – equivalent to five GCSEs (at grades nine to four)
- Level 3 (advanced) – equivalent to two A-levels
- Levels 4 and 5 (higher) – equivalent to a foundation degree
- Levels 6 and 7 (degree) – you’ll get a full bachelor’s and/or master’s degree
Yep, that’s right: with some high-level apprenticeships you can achieve a full bachelor’s or master’s degree at the end, without going to university. Degree apprenticeships usually last between three and five years, and they are only becoming more popular.
If three to five years sounds too long for you, apprenticeships at Levels 2 to 5 are usually shorter, and you’ll qualify with the equivalent of five GCSE grades, two A-levels or a foundation degree.
