Apprenticeships in Wolverhampton
The West Midlands city of Wolverhampton was built on iron, steel, and coal, but has evolved over the years to create a diverse business portfolio.
Wolverhampton’s modern business landscape includes two big names in aerospace – Collins Aerospace and GKN Aerospace. Other major companies in the area include Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Nuffield Health, Moog, Atlas Copco, Marstons, Ford, DHL, and ABM.
Careers in Wolverhampton
The city’s economy is growing, with sectors such as automotive manufacturing, healthcare, and aerospace strengthening their position in the UK.
You will find many opportunities in these industries, plus environmental technologies, building technologies, and transport technologies.
The largest sector in the city is the business services industry. Encompassing financial services, real estate, creative and digital services as well as business administration, it is worth £1.2 billion of Gross Added Value.
Customer service and retail are other popular occupations, while restaurants, bars, theatres, nightclubs and hotels provide jobs in hospitality.
Wolverhampton is also home to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities second headquarters, the first of its kind outside London, creating public sector opportunities.
Let’s see what else you could experience by starting an apprenticeship in Wolverhampton.
The latest apprentice jobs in Wolverhampton
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Apprentice Cyberspace Communication Specialist
Royal Air ForceUK -
Apprentice Weapon Technician
Royal Air ForceUK -
National Trust Apprenticeship Scheme
National TrustUK -
National Grid Apprenticeship Schemes
National GridUK -
BMW Apprenticeships 2025 (Register Interest)
BMWUK -
Sky Apprenticeships (Register Interest)
SkyUK
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Search all jobs.
Top employers in Wolverhampton
Living and working in Wolverhampton
Named after its initial owner, a Saxon called Wulfruna, Wolverhampton grew from a small settlement to a busy stagecoach route to Ireland to a centre of industry and innovation.
Today, there are many career options, outlined above, and plenty of apprenticeships to facilitate them.
The city has recently received investment in high-speed Internet, housing, and infrastructure, making it more business-friendly. As part of the UK Government’s ‘Long Term Plan for Towns’, the city will continue to be developed, indicating a bright future.
There are several advantages to living and working in Wolverhampton, such as affordable housing.
The employment rate had risen to 70.3% by 2023, yet the cost of living remained relatively affordable compared to the national average. You can buy a house in Wolverhampton for £208,000, less than elsewhere in the UK, where the average is approximately £271,000.
As for the day-to-day, you’ll find a medley of modern and historic attractions, from Bantock House Museum and Park and the iconic Grand Theatre to Just Ramps C.I.C. and Challenge Academy.
The choices are many and varied. Take a guided tour of the National Trust’s Moseley Old Hall or catch a game of football at the Molineux Stadium.
Military history buffs will enjoy the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, while Wolverhampton Art Gallery is a free creative space showcasing artists old and new.
There is also the option to commute. Wolverhampton is just a 20-minute train ride to Birmingham and around 90 minutes by rail to Manchester and Liverpool.
London is around 115 miles away, and the nearest airport is Birmingham Airport, providing plenty of domestic and international flights daily.
Degree apprenticeships in Wolverhampton
The highest level of UK apprenticeships, Degree apprenticeships are typically longer programmes where successful candidates work towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree while employed in their chosen field and earning a fair wage.
Starting life as Wolverhampton Tradesman’s and Mechanic’s Institute, in 1835, the University of Wolverhampton has always been at the forefront of vocational education and continues to provide courses designed to upskill and create opportunities for a more diverse cross-section of society.
The long list of higher and degree-level apprenticeships offered include:
- Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship
- Building Control Surveying Degree Apprenticeship
- Environmental Health Practitioner Apprenticeship
- Civil and Transportation Engineering Degree Apprenticeship
- Senior Leader Apprenticeship
Industry spotlight
Around a fifth of all jobs in Wolverhampton are generated by the health and wellbeing sector. This industry encompasses everything from midwifery and cardiology to adult social care and community health support.
Nursing has long been an apprenticeship option, but you will now also find apprenticeships such as advanced clinical practitioner, healthcare support worker, occupational therapist, and many more.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust offers a range of apprenticeships across all aspects of healthcare as a business, including pharmacy services, health science associate and finance assistant.
Like many UK towns and cities, Wolverhampton has a well-developed manufacturing and automation sector. Home to big names making parts for cars, aerospace, and innovative technology in other areas, Wolverhampton is a fantastic place to take the first step towards a career in manufacturing and automation.
You can find apprenticeships in mechatronics, manufacturing, engineering, and assembly and testing at Moog.
Collins Aerospace offers apprenticeships at Levels 3-6 in subjects such as machining, manufacturing engineer/automation, engineer, business operations, assembly and test, and IT.
A hospitality apprenticeship will teach you transferable skills, such as bar work, catering and customer service, that can help you get a job anywhere in the world.
Marstons is a brewery and chain of 1,400+ pubs that has been in business for over 185 years and has been running apprenticeships with Lifetime Training since 2015. They offer several apprenticeship positions, from Commis Chef and Chef to Bar and Waiting Staff.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a government-funded initiative that enables more people to enter the world of work while continuing their education.
There are numerous apprenticeships run simultaneously across the UK, all following the same basic structure – an 80/20% split in favour of practical, paid work. The rest of the time is spent on theory, studying for an industry-recognised qualification.
The idea is to improve the UK workforce by making certain positions more attainable to a more diverse cross-section of society.
Businesses receive financial incentives to take on apprentices and apprentices learn on the job while earning a fair wage and having their tuition paid for.
Some apprenticeships are designed for school leavers, with a minimum age of 16.
There is no upper age limit for most courses, so apprenticeships are equally beneficial for those wishing to make a career change.
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Low Risk/High Reward
Apprenticeships, particularly at entry level, tend to have a short duration, as little as 12 months. This is a good time period to learn whether or not you are suited to a particular role or industry and decide if you want to pursue it further. As long as you work hard, you will gain valuable experience, earn some money and get a good reference. Even if you choose to change tacks, you will have improved your employability and eliminated a career path.
Financial Security
Throughout your apprenticeship, you will have the financial security of a regular salary. Typically paid monthly, every UK apprenticeship will earn at least the minimum living wage for their age group. Since salary is decided by your employer, it could potentially be significantly more.
More Apprenticeships to Choose From
New research has shown a 1.3% rise in apprenticeships in the UK for 2024/2025 from 2023/2024.
With more providers offering apprenticeships, you have more chance of your application being successful. It also means the apprenticeships are more diverse and likely to include more specialisms.
Accelerate Your Education
One of the disadvantages of traditional higher education is that it takes up to seven years to qualify, and you are not gaining hands-on experience in the meantime.
Because apprenticeships are usually 12 months to three years, you finish faster and don’t miss valuable time in the workplace.
UK apprenticeships enable you to work towards a level of qualification:
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
Other UK apprenticeships grant you chartered status, a military rank or another industry-specific achievement.
Apprenticeships Near You
The increase in UK apprenticeships means that you are more likely to find a company offering an apprenticeship in the field of expertise you wish to work in, closer to where you live.
Sounds good? Apply for an apprenticeship today!
All the latest apprenticeships in Wolverhampton are available to view on our website, just use the subject and location filters to find your ideal match.
If you need a little extra inspiration, our school leaver and industry pages should give you some ideas.
Want to talk through your options? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and we’ll get back to you asap!
