Apprenticeships across the East Midlands
Some of the biggest UK companies are headquartered or have a significant presence in Leicester, including the world’s largest crisp factory, Walker’s Crisps, Caterpillar (UK), Barratt developments, Dunelm Group, and Watches of Switzerland.
Couple that with two excellent universities, 2000 years of history and stunning scenery and a Leicester apprenticeship becomes an attractive proposition. So, let’s find out more!
Careers in Leicester
Leicester is one of the best locations in the UK for several industries, including (but not limited to) the best opportunities in food and drink manufacturing, jobs in retail, careers in hi-tech engineering, and BBC Radio Leicester apprenticeships.
Becoming a Leicester apprentice could be the first step to landing your dream job. University apprenticeships are ideal for undergraduates looking to get their start. If you’re a graduate who wants to make a career change, adult apprenticeships are also available.
Leicester university apprenticeships create opportunities for you to ‘earn as you learn’. You will get paid a livable wage as you learn practical skills and study for a degree. Mentoring and regular assessment will help you to get the most out of the apprenticeship programme, so you’ll finish with the skills, qualifications and contacts you need to pursue your chosen career.
Your employer and the Government will divide the cost of your apprenticeship between them, so you don’t have to pay a penny!
Top employers
Leicester enjoys a varied industry portfolio, with automotive, housebuilding and construction, and retail just a few of the significant industries in the city. Some of Leicester’s best apprenticeship employers include:
- Barratt Developments
- NHS
- Caterpillar (UK)
- Walker’s Crisps
“With a proud 2000-year history, Leicester is a city rich in cultural and historical significance.”
Industry spotlight
Construction & Trade Apprenticeships
With house builders Barratt Developments and Bloor Investments, plus Aggregate Industries UK (heavy building materials) all in the top five Leicester and Leicestershire companies for 2022, there are many opportunities for a career in construction or related trades. Construction apprenticeships in Leicester cover a range of specialties, from bricklaying apprenticeships to plumbing and welding apprenticeships to architectural and quantity surveyor apprenticeships. So you can learn your trade while earning a living wage.
Automotive Apprenticeships
Another sector which is thriving in Leicester is the automotive industry. The top company in the county is Sytner Group, a vehicle maintenance and repair company. You will also find Caterpillar (UK), Graham Bell Holdings, Plastic Omnium Automotive and Sandicliffe vehicle sale, repair and maintenance among the top twenty Leicester companies. If you wish to join the automotive industry, a Leicester-based automotive engineering apprenticeship could set you on the right path.
Retail Apprenticeships
Companies such as Watches of Switzerland Group, Crown Crest Group (Poundstretcher) and Graham Bell Holdings are among Leicester’s top 20 companies and contribute significantly to the city’s retail sector. Apprenticeships in retail cover various roles, including buyer, sales assistant, and merchandiser. Skills required for such roles, include optimisation and logistics. Leicester retail apprenticeships can give you the skills you need to build a successful career in retail.
Degree apprenticeships in Leicester
All degree apprenticeships must be delivered in partnership with a university.
Leicester is home to two leading universities, the University of Leicester and De Montfort University. Both institutions feature in the most recent QS World University Rankings®. Leicester College is also the largest apprenticeship training delivery organisation in Leicester.
Leicester has also recently joined the QS list of the Best Student Cities Rankings. These inclusions recognise an abundance of opportunities for Leicester apprentices and graduates.
The food and drink industry, automotive, manufacturing, IT, and retail are just a few of the sectors creating plenty of jobs in Leicester and Leicestershire.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships can be summarised broadly as having four Key Benefits:
- Learn on-the-job
- Hone your skills, gain confidence and qualifications
- Benefit from the best mentoring and grow your network
- Earn a living wage without getting into debt
Living and working in Leicester
With a proud 2000-year history, Leicester is a city rich in cultural and historical significance.
Leicester Cathedral is the final resting place of King Richard III, following the discovery of his body by a team of archaeologists in a car park in 2012. The King Richard III visitor centre was built around that former car park. Plus, Leicester Castle is a short walk from the city centre.
Don’t worry if you’re not a history buff, as Leicester is also home to the National Space City, the Highcross shopping centre, a bustling nightlife and hospitality sector, plus the Museum and Art Gallery. Sports fans can visit Leicester City Football Club’s home ground, the King Power Stadium or attend a Leicester Tigers rugby union game at Welford Road.
The city is surrounded by rolling countryside and picturesque villages, with the magical Charnwood Forest within easy reach.
Leicester has been named among the top ten places to live in the UK by both onefamily and Lonely Planet. There’s a good mix of housing options, and living costs are cheaper than in London.
Leicester’s East Midlands location and excellent rail and road transport links make it a good base to travel in the UK. London is only an hour away on the train, while you can reach the East Midlands Airport from the city centre within around 25 minutes.
Many UK and global companies are headquartered or have a significant presence in Leicester, including Walker’s Crisps, UK fashion retailer Next, and prominent engineering firms such as Jones & Shipman and Transmon Engineering.
The latest apprentice jobs in Leicester:
Sorry, there are currently no listings for this category. New roles are updated frequently, so please check back soon. Register for our free job alerts to never miss an opportunity.
Kickstart your career
Why choose an apprenticeship?
The Best Mentors
Becoming a Leicester apprentice gives you access to the very best mentors. Leicester apprenticeships combine practical hands-on experience with in-classroom learning and expert mentoring. You will be learning from the best possible people in your chosen field and fairly compensated for your time and work.
Earn While You Learn
This is the crux of any apprenticeship. All apprenticeships are backed by the apprentice minimum wage across all sectors, so you are guaranteed to earn a liveable wage, while you study for your degree and learn practical skills on the job.Some employers even offer wages far exceeding the minimum wage, hoping to attract the top candidates.
More Apprenticeships Than Ever
Incentives to businesses (such as the apprentice levy), a government push, and a collective effort to close the ever-growing skills gap in the UK, have led to the development of more UK
apprenticeships than ever before. The number is increasing, and so is the range of roles and industries that apprenticeships now serve.
Level Up
There are four levels of UK apprenticeships, designed to cater to different levels of education and experience: Intermediate, Advanced, Higher, and Degree. Each apprenticeship will have its own entry requirements, and some apprenticeships will consolidate your knowledge, making you eligible for new roles, while others will improve your earning potential. Whatever stage of your career you have reached, there could be an apprenticeship programme that’s perfect to help you progress.
Earn a Degree with No Debt
Studying for a degree can be an expensive undertaking. Depending on the industry and level of study you’re at, student loans can cost tens of thousands. Thankfully, that is not the case here. University of Leicester apprenticeships are funded by your employer and the Government, so there are no student loans to pay back when you graduate. Even better, you’ll be earning a wage and maximising your employment prospects.
The Perfect Fit
With such a wealth of thriving industries in the city, more Leicester-based apprenticeships are created every year. You’ll find apprenticeships tailored to specialties, to give you the best possible start in your chosen career. If you have a job in mind, you can start looking at the different pathways today. If not, please feel free to browse our best industry apprenticeships page and let us know if you have any questions.
