Apprenticeships in York
One of the UK’s oldest cities, York has Roman and Viking heritage and is known for its quirky cobbled streets, historic sites and stunning scenery.
Located approximately halfway between Edinburgh and London, York is home to national and international companies such as Nestlé Rowntree, Aviva, Northern Rail, and Network Rail.
Careers in York
There are around 1,000 companies registered in York, with almost 800 of those being small businesses.
York earned the National Science City status in 1998. With £800 million invested in York’s tech and science infrastructure since then, over 80 technology companies have emerged in the city throughout the 2000s and 2020s.
The creative industries are another newer area of development for the city, while finance and insurance continue to account for a significant portion of the city’s employment.
Although Terry’s, of Chocolate Orange fame, moved operations to America, Nestlé Rowntree is still one of the biggest employers in the city.
Around 9 million tourists visit York each year, so tourism and hospitality remain key industries.
The latest apprentice jobs in York
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Apprentice Cyberspace Communication Specialist
Royal Air ForceUK -
Apprentice Air Technician Weapons
Royal Air ForceUK -
Sky Apprenticeships (Register Interest)
SkyUK -
National Trust Apprenticeship Scheme
National TrustUK -
National Grid Apprenticeship Schemes
National GridUK -
BMW Apprenticeships 2025 (Register Interest)
BMWUK
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Top employers in York
Living and working in York
The majestic medieval city of York is regularly ranked as one of the best cities to live in the UK.
One reason for this is a comparatively low unemployment rate (2.8% in 2023). The cost of living is also much lower than in bigger cities such as Oxford and London.
The city also offers an abundance of history and culture, delicious food and drink, and a fantastic mix of high-street shops and independent boutiques, all set in historic streets such as the Shambles.
You can get a traditional Sunday lunch with the obligatory Yorkshire pudding, Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, and some sweet gingerbread cake called Parkin practically on the same street. Betty’s Tea Room is nothing short of iconic, and York also has impressive authentic pizza and pasta.
Enclosed in ancient walls, York is a small city, yet it packs in all the amenities of big city living while being surrounded by lush green countryside.
The York Minister is a must-see marvel of Gothic architecture and stained glass. Then, there’s the Baroque Fairfax House and the medieval Clifford’s Tower – York provides a living history everywhere you look.
Even the pubs, such as The Golden Fleece and Guy Fawkes Inn, are historic.
Slightly further afield, the atmospheric Yorkshire Dales and Moors have inspired countless literary works, including Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.
There’s a vibrant arts scene, with theatres and galleries, including the famous York Theatre Royal and York Art Gallery.
York is a well-connected city, with a commute to nearby Leeds taking just 30 minutes by car or train. Trains also go directly to Manchester and Birmingham and air transport links are almost as easy due to York’s proximity to several airports.
Most of the city’s many attractions can be reached on foot in around 20 minutes.
Once known largely for its chocolate production, York now operates in several business sectors, including hospitality, railways, manufacturing, finance, and healthcare. Nestlé Rowntree still operates in the city.
Degree apprenticeships in York
A degree apprenticeship is a level 6 or 7 apprenticeship where successful candidates combine paid employment with studying for a bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
The University of York is a top-tier UK university offering health science apprenticeships, including Health and Social Care, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, and a Registered Nurse Degree (RNDA). There are also research centres and institutes connected to the university, including the York Plasma Institute, the Centre for Medieval Studies and the Centre for Applied Human Rights.
Industry spotlight
With both Network Rail and Norther Trains calling York home, it’s no surprise that you can find multiple rail and rail systems apprenticeships in the city.
Whether you want to be a train driver, signal operator or rail engineer, York is one of the best places in the country for rail-based apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship subjects include Rail Operations, Trainee Train Driver, and the Level 6 Rail & Rail Systems Engineer Apprenticeship.
NFU Mutual, CPP Group and Aviva (formerly Norwich Union Life) have headquarters in York, creating plenty of employment in the finance and insurance industry.
Apprenticeships offered by these companies include Underwriting, Paralegal Support, IT Business Analyst, Claims Handling, Data, Risk Management and Actuarial.
Tourism and hospitality are worth an estimated £765m+ to the York economy.
Tourism and hospitality is an umbrella term encompassing hotel management, cookery, catering, event planning, and much more.
The York College and University Centre offers apprenticeships in Business, Tourism and Professional Studies at different levels.
What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are education programmes jointly funded by the government and various UK businesses.
They aim to diversify and upskill the UK workforce by providing financial incentives to combine work with studying for industry-specific qualifications.
UK apprenticeships follow an 80%/20% work/study ratio. Their tuition is funded, and they are paid a fair wage. At the end of the course, they earn an industry-recognised qualification.
Increase Your Earning Potential
Why Choose an Apprenticeship?
Learn On The Job
As an apprentice working in York, you will work in your preferred position, doing hands-on work under the watchful eye of senior staff and mentors. You will gain a first-hand insight into what the job entails while being paid a fair wage.
Your colleagues can help you gain valuable industry contacts and support you through your exams and assessments.
Get Fairly Paid
All UK apprentices are entitled to earn at least the minimum wage for their age group. However, pay is at the discretion of your employer, so you may find you are paid more, sometimes significantly so. Your pay should reflect your responsibilities and contributions to the business and is using designated in order of seniority and qualifications.
More Apprenticeships = More Opportunities
As of 2024, apprenticeships are officially on the rise again, up 1.3% for 2024/2025 from the previous year. This means that more young people and adult apprentices are being offered the chance to upskill and reach their highest potential in a variety of roles and industries. This diversity and inclusion ultimately benefit the UK economy, hence the UK Government part-funding thousands of apprenticeship programmes.
Levels of Achievement
UK apprenticeships are categorised:
- Level 2 (Intermediate)
- Level 3 (Advanced)
- Levels 4- 5 (Higher)
- Levels 6-7 (Degree)
Each level corresponds to an equivalent qualification, from GCSEs to Master’s degrees.
This means that those who perhaps didn’t get the grades they wanted at school can gain the skills and qualifications they need to level up their career.
Specialise and Level Up
Speaking of levelling up, while some apprenticeships are an alternative to academic qualifications, others help you to earn the industry-required practical and theory assessments that can see you specialise in a particular field or climb the ranks to the very top.
For example, an apprenticeship could see you become a senior officer in the British Armed Forces, a chartered accountant, banker, biologist or building control surveyor.
The Perfect Fit
Once heavily focused on the trades. UK apprenticeships now cover almost every job role you can think of.
From traditional careers such as teachers, lawyers, and doctors, to newer professions such as advanced technology, bioscience, cyber security and many more, there is an apprenticeship designed to help you reach your career goals.
York offers apprenticeships in transport, retail, science, healthcare and IT & Digital, to name but a few.
All you need to do is decide which sparks your interest and apply!
In need of some further inspiration? Check out the latest apprenticeships in York by subject or browse through our industry and school leaver pages.
