Retail Apprenticeships | Best Apprenticeships

Launch your career in retail with an apprenticeship

Looking for a flexible and dynamic place to start your career?

In retail, every day is different, so your learning, growth and development are supercharged. Retail apprenticeships aren’t just about organisation and being helpful. Modern retail includes optimisation, logistics, and user experience — as well as the ability to keep up with the latest trends.

As a buyer, a merchandiser, or a soldier on the shop floor; every part of the retail ecosystem relies on great ideas and teamwork to help a business flourish.

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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.