Design & Technology Apprenticeships
What are the best apprenticeships for those who love D&T?
Are you a natural problem solver? Do you look at designs with a critical eye? Can you come up with fresh, clever ideas?
You might be an ideal candidate for a design and technology apprenticeship.

Why Design & Technology is useful for apprenticeships
Design and Technology is a broad subject in schools, encompassing everything from practical and digital design to cooking and nutrition.
Once centred around woodwork, it has evolved to cover general life skills, creativity and initiative.
The idea is to empower students with the knowledge and confidence to be resourceful, complete everyday tasks and find solutions to issues that arise.
Students are taught to look critically at design and technology to seek improvements.
This mix of critical and creative thinking, combined with practical skills lends itself to many business sectors, from product development, manufacturing, and construction to architecture, computer game design and aerospace engineering.
Transferable skills
In your design and technology classes, you will have learned practical skills such as measuring, problem-solving, creating templates and mock-ups and using manual and digital tools and materials.
You will be able to evaluate the feasibility of your ideas and asses products at every stage of development. This is a valuable skill for employers who want to ensure they are delivering the best possible products and services. You will be adept at planning but adaptable enough to make changes as you gain more information.
Design and Technology apprenticeships, also called Creative Design apprenticeships look to build on these skills and apply them in real-time to products and concepts.
Intermediate roles
The three main paths open to school leavers are:
- Go to college and then university
- Get a job – likely to be a low-paid position
- Apply for an apprenticeship
All are valid choices, depending on your circumstances and requirements, but this guide will concentrate on apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships combine paid work with continued education, and you usually don’t have to pay a penny.
Designed to upskill and diversify the UK workforce, UK apprenticeships are jointly funded by the Government and private employers and universities.
UK apprenticeships begin at Level 2, also known as entry-level or intermediate apprenticeships.
Most candidates for Level 2 apprenticeships are school leavers or young people, but they are also open to older people looking to upskill in a new area.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible to apply for an apprenticeship in the UK:
- You must be 16 or older
- You must not be in full-time education
- You must have the right to live and work in the UK
Every UK apprenticeship must adhere to national standards, but individual providers are free to include company or role-specific requirements.
The minimum requirements to apply for an intermediate design and technology apprenticeship are usually a good GCSE mark (or equivalent) in the core subjects of English, Maths, and Science.
A strong GCSE pass in DT, art or engineering would be beneficial.
Qualifications gained
An entry-level apprenticeship grants you a nationally recognised qualification equivalent to five good GCSE passes.
Level 2 design and technology apprenticeships examples include:
- Level 2 Engineering Operative Apprenticeship – Abingdon and Witney College
- Painter and decorator Level 2 – Various providers
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Advanced/Higher/Degree targeted at A-Level
After completing an intermediate apprenticeship, you may have the option to progress to a higher apprenticeship level, as follows:
- Level 3 – advanced apprenticeships
- Levels 4 and 5 – higher apprenticeships
- Levels 6 and 7 – degree-level apprenticeships
Once you move into Level 3 apprenticeships and beyond, they tend to be longer, more specialised, and more complex.
Entry Requirements
Eligible candidates for Level 2 design and technology apprenticeships need good GCSEs in the English language, Maths, and science, plus art, design, computing, or similar, depending on the subject of the apprenticeship.
For Higher and degree apprenticeships, you would likely need A Levels in the English language, maths, science, art or a specialism such as those noted above.
Qualifications gained
Each level of apprenticeship in the UK system has a corresponding qualification:
- Advanced apprenticeship = 2 A-Level passes.
- Higher apprenticeship = a foundation degree
- Degree apprenticeship = a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, depending on your level of study.
Advanced, higher and degree design and technology apprenticeships include:
- Product design and development engineer degree apprenticeship (Level 6) – Various providers
- Architectural Technology – Design and Construction Management Degree Apprenticeship – University of Central Lancashire
- Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship – Manchester Metropolitan University
Industry Focus
Engineering involves using maths and the sciences – psychics and chemistry, combined with art, design, and technology to solve problems and improve machines, buildings, and other structures.
Many job roles exist in this sector, from product and transport engineers to electrical engineers.
Mechanical engineers design, test and make tools, engines and other mechanical equipment often for car manufacturers or similar. Aerospace engineers do likewise for aircraft.
Lotus cars and Airbus provide mechanical and aerospace apprenticeships, respectively.
Companies such as BT Group also offer engineering apprenticeships at various levels.
Believe it or not, ‘quality’ is an industry in itself. Quality control is essential for any business or organisation, and many quality control professionals have built secure and lasting careers.
Quality control relies on having a critical eye and the ability to accurately test and evaluate products and systems, to ensure the optimal product or service is delivered. Reducing risk, ensuring compliance and improving functionality and appearance are all part of the job.
For some, quality is only part of their remit. For others, it is the focus of their job. Titles include quality manager, quality director and quality engineer.
You can eventually become a Chartered Quality Professional but a quality-based apprenticeship is a good start.
Qualitrain and CQM are among the agencies offering quality-based UK apprenticeships.
Carpentry, joinery, architecture, computer game design and many more disciplines fall under this broad topic, which looks at design and making, plus reevaluating existing ideas.
Architectural Technologists bridge the gap between design and construction, helping to turn sketches and ideas into proposals and eventually finished structures. You can find architectural technology apprenticeships at universities such as London South Bank University.
Product designers, as their name suggests, design new products and improve existing models, based on market research and testing. It could be anything from medical equipment to the latest toy.
Graphic designers typically work in a studio or as part of an office team. They often work on multiple projects for different clients, creating website pages, magazine covers, adverts and other visual content. Accenture is one of several companies that offer Digital & Technology design-based apprenticeships.
Other Opportunities
These are just a few examples of jobs in design and technology, others include:
- Design and Technology teacher
- Video game developer
- Interior designer
- Web developer
- Arts director
- Audiovisual engineer
- Fashion designer
- Sculptor
- Market researcher
- Food technologist
- Gallery curator
- Dressmaker
- Network engineer
- Hairdresser
Conclusion
So there you have it, design and technology is a useful subject, that can help you secure a UK apprenticeship in various sectors and job roles.
To find D&T apprenticeships in your area, search using our location and subject filters.
Have a question or just fancy a chat? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
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