Apprenticeships in Sunderland
Known for its rich history in shipbuilding and glass-making, Sunderland remains a hub of manufacturing and has become a centre for renewable energy and digital and technological innovation.
The business landscape is diverse, with several major national and international companies from various sectors, including Npower and EDF Energy, Nissan and Rolls Royce, Ocado and Bernard Matthews Ltd, Caterpillar, and Hays Travel.
Careers in Sunderland
Where once industry in Sunderland was confined to mining and shipbuilding, today, the Northeast city enjoys a rich and diverse business economy, including education, manufacturing, digital, and creative industries.
Several car manufacturing companies have factories in Sunderland, including Nissan and Rolls Royce. Engineering and aerospace also provide many opportunities.
There is a large and busy healthcare sector, creating thousands of jobs across hospitals, opticians, and research facilities.
Retail is another significant sector in Sunderland, with a mix of small independents and High Street favourites in The Bridges and The Galleries shopping centres and dotted around the area.
Sunderland boasts a variety of hotels and guesthouses, with bars, restaurants and nightclubs also contributing to a substantial hospitality industry.
The latest apprentice jobs in Sunderland
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BAE Systems Apprenticeships (Register your interest for 2026/27)
BAE SystemsUK -
Sky Apprenticeships (Register Interest)
SkyUK -
National Trust Apprenticeship Scheme
National TrustUK -
National Grid Apprenticeship Schemes
National GridUK -
BMW Apprenticeships 2025 (Register Interest)
BMWUK -
PwC Apprenticeship Programme 2025
PwCUK
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Search all jobs.
Top employers in Sunderland
Living and working in Sunderland
Set at the mouth of the River Wear, Sunderland is a coastal city in the North East, around ten miles from Newcastle.
Voted as the OneFamily ‘best UK city to live and work’, in 2018, research suggests residents are happier than in other areas of the country.
This might have something to do with the affordable housing – the average property price in the area is £140K, less than half the average in other parts of England and Wales (£351K).
There is also lots to see and do.
You get a vibrant city centre, and a stunning coastline rolled into one.
There are five Green Flag parks, including Mowbray Park, one of the oldest parks in the North East and home to an Alice in Wonderland-themed playground and walrus statue to honour one-time Sunderland resident author Lewis Caroll.
You can celebrate the city’s shipbuilding heritage by viewing the Keel Line, which marks the length of the longest ship built in Sunderland, inscribed with the names of over 8000 ships launched on the Wear. Keel Square is also home to ‘Propellors of the City’, an interactive sculpture bearing the names and photographs of people who worked in the shipyards.
Visit the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, catch a show at the Sunderland Empire Theatre, or support the ‘black cats’ football team at the historic Stadium of Light.
Sunderland-by-the-sea boasts beautiful Blue Flag beaches, fantastic fish and chips, tasty treats, a lively nightlife, a growing tech centre and much more.
If you need to travel further afield, the city has excellent road and rail links, plus an international airport in nearby Newcastle.
Sounds good? Let’s take a look at some of the apprenticeships available to help you start your career in this exciting city.
Degree apprenticeships in Sunderland
Degree apprenticeships are the highest level of UK apprenticeship programmes and enable candidates to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree with the same 80/20 ratio as other apprenticeships.
They are run by UK businesses in conjunction with reputable universities.
The University of Sunderland has two campuses in the city, with another in London and a fourth in Hong Kong! Ranked by The Guardian University Guide as one of the top 40 in the UK, it excels in health and social sciences, education, creative industries and technology.
You will find advanced, higher, and degree apprenticeships in these subjects, plus engineering, business administration, and more.
Industry spotlight
With companies such as Bernard Matthews Ltd and Ocado operating in the area, Sunderland, it’s no surprise there are also several food manufacturing and technician apprenticeships available.
You’ll find these are mostly Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships, ideal for entering the world of food manufacturing.
Working on operations, monitoring and maintaining machinery, engineering, quality assurance, and food safety and hygiene are all skills that you can gain from this type of apprenticeship.
Job titles include:
- Advanced operator
- Food and drink process operator
- Manufacturing technician
- Process development technician
- Process technician
- Production line worker
- Skilled production operator
- Technical operator
Electrical engineering has many applications, but one specialism is power engineering – working at a power plant to generate, transmit and distribute electricity.
Sunderland is home to Npower (a UK branch of E.ON Energy, and EDF, both companies offer several apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 Radiation Safety to Degree apprenticeships in Electro-Mechanical Engineering.
Jobs in this field include:
- Maintenance engineer
- Electrician
- Electrical fitter
- Electronics engineer
- Shift engineer
According to the ADS group, aerospace accounts for around 104,000 jobs in the UK, including over 6,000 apprentices.
A highly paid occupation, aerospace today focuses on making aircraft more environmentally friendly by reducing carbon and finding new sustainable fuel sources.
Sunderland Engineering Training Association Limited offers a Level 6 Aerospace Engineer apprenticeship, which combines various types of engineering, maths, analysis and testing.
What is an apprenticeship?
An alternative to more traditional higher education, apprenticeships are government-backed initiatives that combine paid work with classroom or online learning.
UK apprentices are employed by businesses in a wide variety of roles while working towards a qualification. The usual ratio is 80% practical work with 20% theory and learning.
Part-funded by the government, with incentives provided to UK businesses to employ apprentices, apprenticeships aim to upskill and diversify the British workforce.
For some people, the cost of attending university stops them from pursuing a specific career. Other factors including gender, race and additional needs, can also play a part.
Because your tuition is paid for and you are earning at least a living wage, apprenticeships remove some of these barriers, encouraging a more diverse workforce, which ultimately benefits the economy.
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Climb the Ladder
Depending on the level of apprenticeship, you can gain experience and a qualification that will help you either join the working world, upskill, or start a new career.
For example, an entry-level apprenticeship will help you get a foot in the door of your chosen industry. Advanced and Higher level apprenticeships can help you to specialise, increase seniority and boost your earning potential.
Increase Your Salary
Speaking of increasing your earning potential – completing an apprenticeship often enables you to ask for a higher wage befitting your new level of skill and experience.
An Increase in Apprenticeships
New research indicates a 1.3% rise in apprenticeships in the UK for 2024/2025 from the previous year.
This means that more providers are offering apprenticeships, diversifying the roles and industries you can pursue. Apprenticeships began with the trades but have evolved to cover most sectors and occupations.
More opportunities also mean you have more chance of your application being successful. Just remember some industries are more competitive than others.
Speed Up Your Learning
Apprenticeships are also typically shorter than traditional higher education programmes, enabling you to get qualified faster.
Each UK apprenticeship corresponds to a level of qualification you will achieve on completion, 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
Some UK apprenticeships are instead dedicated to achieving industry-specific qualifications, such as attaining a rank in the British army or becoming chartered in accountancy or architecture.
The usual disadvantage of attending university, aside from the cost, is that others are gaining practical experience in the role while you study.
With an apprenticeship, you work and earn while you learn, and your course is typically shorter.
UK university degree programmes last approximately three to seven years. UK apprenticeships, on the other hand, typically last between 12 months and 3 years.
This means you could achieve a bachelor’s or even a master’s degree faster, all the while working and earning at least a living wage.
Apprenticeships in Your Area
More UK apprenticeships means more choice in your area.
Once, you would likely have had to travel a significant distance to find a company offering the apprenticeship you needed, particularly if you did not live in a large city.
Today, you will find even small towns and rural areas providing a wide range of apprenticeships.
Are you ready to take the next step? Apply for an apprenticeship today!
You can see all the latest apprenticeships in Sunderland in one place on our website. Then narrow down your search using our subject and location filters. Still not sure where you fit in? Check out our school leaver and industry pages for some extra inspo!
Think there’s something we’ve missed? Or just want a friendly ear to talk through your options? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch and we’ll get back to you asap!
