Apprentice Chef and Culinary Chef smiling cooking pea's on a stove

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships combine study with practical training in a paid job. You will learn skills and industry training directly on the job alongside theory and classroom-based learning (30%).

You will have a mentor/line manager and a learning consultant to make sure you are supported and guided throughout your apprenticeship.

We can also offer career guidance throughout your course, help you find new work or support you in growing your career with your current employer.

We don’t believe in ‘one-size-fits-all’, so we’ll work together to make sure you have everything you need to succeed!

An apprenticeship is a real job, with hands-on experience and training while you learn. Think of it as earning while you learn!

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What our community are saying

Apprenticeships combine study with practical training in a paid job.

Apprenticeships offer you the skills and training that employers need, making you a highly desirable team member.

  • Earn while you learn - Get paid while training and working in the workplace

    Fast-track progression routes - For example, hospitality team member to a supervisor in as little as 12 months

    Develop additional life skills - Professional relationships and problem solving

    Work with extraordinary teams in incredible workplaces across the UK

    Meet lifelong friends and make unforgettable memories

    Apprentice benefits such as discounts from travel and NUS discounts

    Apprenticeship clubs and workshops/masterclasses and webinars

    Access to mentors, industry experts and teachers

  • Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes that are designed alongside employers to train people for specific job roles.

    At the same time, apprentices get a paying job with valuable training and mentorship while they work towards a nationally recognised apprenticeship standard.

    Not only do apprenticeships train you in the skills your employers want but they also give you choices in your career.

    Adding new skills to your CV, including customer service, communications, teamwork, leadership and many more, all support you to progress into long-term employment.

  • With many universities charging around £9000 a year for tuition, plus adding in any cost-of-living loans, and you could be looking at a debt of around £45,000+ before you even start work!

    An apprenticeship allows you to pursue a career whilst earning a salary.

  • The minimum salary is £4.30 per hour; however, many apprentices earn significantly more plus you will be given at least 20 days’ paid holiday per year on top of bank holidays.

  • You can apply for an apprenticeship while you’re still at school or in employment. To start your apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:

    16 or over by the end of the summer holidays (September) - you can do an apprenticeship at 16 or 60!

    You must be living in England

    Not in full-time education

  • We know that everyone’s different, and so are your needs.

    There are apprenticeships available even if you didn’t achieve a passing grade in English or Maths for your GCSEs.

    As part of your apprenticeship, providers will give you an opportunity to complete “Functional Skills” which are equivalent to GCSEs.

    You will also be assessed to see if your apprenticeship will be right for you. That you are learning new skills at the right level and job position.

Did you know that apprenticeships are not just for new starters and school leavers!

Do you want to progress your career but need some help gaining those skills your employer is asking for?

If you are currently employed, you can still apply for an apprenticeship to help gain new skills and work towards promotion or a new job role.

Talk to your employer about our apprenticeships or get in touch directly with us.

Apprenticeship Q&A

Who can do an apprenticeship?

You can apply for an apprenticeship as long as you are over 16 years old, living in England and not in full-time education.

As an apprentice, you will have a paid full-time job role as you work towards an industry-recognised qualification. You will spend at least 20% of your time in ‘off-the-job’ training.

The benefits of this are that you gain valuable work experience and skills in both the workplace and your learning and development sessions.

How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?

Your apprenticeship can take between one and six years to complete, depending on which apprenticeship you choose, what level it’s at, and your previous experience.

Starting at Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSE passes) qualifications stretch right through to Level 7 – the equivalent of a master’s degree. 

After completing your apprenticeship, you’ll receive a qualification that you can showcase to future employers.

Where will I work?

Apprenticeships with Umbrella Training are available all over England.

We work with 5* hotels, luxury retail shops, and restaurants offering a large range of careers and workplaces.

Please contact our Careers and Talent Director for more information.

Do I have to pay for my apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are paid for using money provided by the government and your employer.

That means, unlike a university degree, you won’t have any student loans or tuition fees.

If you are between the ages of 16 and 24 and have spent time living in the care system, you can also apply for a £1,000 bursary (a sum of money you don’t need to pay back) to support you in the first year of your apprenticeship.

Do you want to work in Hospitality?

Working in hospitality is a unique experience, thanks to people like you who work tirelessly to create experiences that stay with guests for a lifetime.

If you are looking to start your hospitality journey or if you are looking to upskill to rise up the ranks, we would love to help you.

Find open vacancies with our business employers.

Other ways to start

You can find current vacancies here.

You can submit your CV or questions via email to our Careers and Talent Director

If you cannot see any roles that suit you, please get in touch via email or call 07852 937 598 to register your interest as new roles are always becoming available.