Apprenticeships in Stoke-on-Trent
Best known for its pottery and being the birthplace of such luminaries as singer Robbie Williams and novelist Arnold Bennett, Stoke-on-Trent is a creative city with a low cost of living and plenty of opportunities for young people.
Several world-renowned companies have a significant presence in and around the city, including AstraZeneca, Balfour Beatty, Caterpillar, Siemens, Wedgwood, and JCB.
Careers in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent became known as The Potteries in the mid-17th century due to the abundance of ceramics being manufactured in the city.
Today, it remains a hub for advanced manufacturing, including ceramics, food and drinks, medical devices and automotive engineering.
Multiple construction equipment companies are headquartered or have a major presence in the area.
Healthcare is another significant sector, with the NHS and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System providing many jobs in various departments.
Social care and education are common professions, and you can find work in customer services, retail, business, or protective services, such as The Police and firefighting.
The latest apprentice jobs in Stoke-on-trent
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Construction Design and Build Technician Higher Apprenticeship – Basingstoke (Building Services)
WSPBasingstoke, Reading -
BAE Systems Apprenticeships (Register your interest for 2026/27)
BAE SystemsUK -
Project Management Degree Apprenticeship – Basingstoke (Bridges)
WSPBasingstoke, Reading -
Sky Apprenticeships (Register Interest)
SkyUK -
National Trust Apprenticeship Scheme
National TrustUK -
National Grid Apprenticeship Schemes
National GridUK
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Search all jobs.
Top employers in Stoke-on-Trent
Living and working in Stoke-on-Trent
Stoke-on-Trent is an affordable city to live in, with a monthly rent of around £673 and an average house price of £144,000 compared to the national average of around £256,000.
This low cost of living, combined with a range of industries, makes it an attractive option for students and young professionals looking to start their careers.
The city boasts a diverse population and plenty of activities for days off.
Stoke’s ceramic heritage is celebrated at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, where you can pick up a piece of locally-made pottery or art.
The area is known for its delicious oatcakes, often filled with cheese and bacon, which you can find in many shops and bakeries across the city.
You can visit award-winning Italian-style gardens at the 725+ acres of Trentham Gardens and enjoy dining and shopping at the on-site shopping village.
Take a canal cruise in a narrowboat down the Trent and Mersey Canal to spot wildlife and see the historic bottle kilns. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the 18th-century Mow Cop Castle, or head to Trentham Monkey Forest.
Alternatively, head to the bet365 stadium to watch Championship football match team Stoke City FC in action.
Located off the M6 motorway, Stoke is well-connected by road and rail to Manchester, Crewe, Derby, Stafford, and London.
Degree apprenticeships in Stoke-on-Trent
Many UK universities partner with UK businesses to offer degree apprenticeships to successful candidates. These courses combine paid work with working towards a bachelor’s (Level 6) or even a master’s (Level 7) degree.
Stoke-on-Trent is home to the University of Staffordshire, which also has campuses in Shrewsbury and London.
The respected university offers a range of Level 6 and 7 degree apprenticeships in subjects including business and administration, digital technology, education and care services, health and science, manufacturing and engineering and protective services.
Nearby Keele University provides similar apprenticeships, with some specialisms such as Geoscientist and Diagnostic Radiographer.
Industry spotlight
Ceramics manufacturing is still one of the most significant industries in the Stoke and Stafford area.
The traditional techniques of preparing glazes and managing the clay’s drying process are only part of what you will learn as a ceramics apprenticeship. Providers also teach the business side of the industry, such as recycling clay and managing stock.
The Adopt A Potter apprenticeship scheme has been running across the UK since 2009, to help budding potters get the best guidance and opportunity to set up their own pottery businesses or join one of the country’s many established ceramics companies.
The Ceramics Skills Academy and Clay College Stoke can also help you find ceramics companies offering apprenticeships in the area.
Sticking with manufacturing, JCB, a major manufacturer of construction equipment, is headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, while Balfour Beatty and Caterpillar Inc have a significant presence.
These companies and others offer apprenticeships from Intermediate all the way up to degree level.
Falling under The Trades, these types of apprenticeships offer hands-on instruction in aspects of the job, such as digital, civil, and mechanical engineering, health and safety, manufacturing, quality and maintenance.
You may work in a factory or production assembly line or occasionally on construction sites, depending on your role.
Combining science, research and healthcare, biopharmaceuticals look at developing and improving medicines, healthcare systems and processes to ensure better access.
Be at the cutting edge of healthcare innovations and work towards more effective treatments, cures and preventative measures for diseases and health conditions, including heart and kidney disease, cancer, and diabetes.
AstraZeneca is one of the region’s top employers and offers a 3-4 year apprenticeship in laboratory science.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a UK government scheme designed to upskill and diversify the UK workforce.
UK businesses employ young people on a full-time basis while part-funding their continued education in the field. Apprentices work towards gaining nationally recognised qualifications from a college, university or research facility.
The split is typically 80% paid hands-on work and 20% learning theory, either in a classroom or online.
The structure is as follows:
Level 2 (Intermediate) – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes
Level 3 (Advanced) – equivalent to 2 A Level passes
Levels 4- 5 (Higher) – equivalent to a foundation degree
Levels 6-7 (Degree) – equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree
To be eligible for a UK apprenticeship, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be 16 or older
- You must not be in full-time education
- You must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
There is no maximum age for most UK apprenticeships, assuming a certain level of physical fitness is not required. Adult apprenticeships are one route someone can take to change their career.
Your employer may have other requirements, so always check thoroughly before applying.
That said, sometimes your potential is more important than your grades, and some apprenticeships will help you meet the criteria by earning outstanding qualifications.
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Start in the Pole Position
Apprentices often start ahead of the pack because they are gaining hands-on experience in the field while qualifying for a more senior position. Unlike a traditional student, you are already part of a team and can observe your colleagues and the inner workings of the business up close.
It is also important to note that being accepted onto an apprenticeship means you have already impressed your employer. Apprenticeships are competitive, and you would not have been chosen if they couldn’t see your potential. You just have to continue in the same vein.
A Regular Income
You can gain insight into a job role by undertaking work experience or an unpaid internship, but you won’t be earning money. Similarly, studying full-time at university will give you the qualifications you need for a particular position, but you won’t be getting paid.
With a UK apprenticeship, you are guaranteed to earn a regular pay packet of at least the minimum living wage for your age group.
You will be paid at the same time as your colleagues, typically monthly, and you may earn more than the minimum, depending on your employer.
Increased Options
A recent study showed a 1.3% rise in apprenticeships in the UK for 2025/2026 from 2024/2025.
More apprenticeships not only mean more chances of submitting a successful application but also that you have more choice of roles, sectors, locations and providers.
Qualify Quicker
Most UK apprenticeships are shorter than their equivalent full-time college or university course, giving you a headstart on the competition.
An apprenticeship in the UK typically lasts 12 months to three years, with some just eight months long. While a traditional university course can take up to seven years to complete.
You can earn GCSEs, A Levels, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s or an industry-specific qualification in less time while earning money and progressing in your chosen career.
Local Opportunities
More apprenticeships also mean more providers in your area creating more opportunities.
Where once relocation to London or another big UK city may have been necessary to pursue a specialist apprenticeship, today you can more or less take your pick.
There are thousands of companies and educational institutions offering apprenticeship programmes all over the country. Some are also created to be inclusive of additional needs and may include remote learning and a work-from-home position.
Want to know more about Stoke apprenticeships?
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