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Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow learners at all levels to be able to gain qualifications while earning a wage, and normally take 1 to 4 years to complete.

Funding for providers

Medr has inherited arrangements from the Welsh Government for funding apprenticeships at Levels 2 to 5, and from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) for degree apprenticeships.

The Welsh Government’s long-term ambition is for an education and skills system that supports collaboration between providers across the tertiary education sector to serve the needs of learners, employers, the wider community and the economy, removing duplication and wasteful competition. While this page outlines current arrangements, including information about existing frameworks and funding, Medr will determine how apprenticeship provision is commissioned and funded in the future, in line with Welsh Government ambitions and its own strategy.

Recruit an apprentice

Guidance for employers

Recruiting an apprentice can help you expand your workforce and its skills base. Support is available towards the cost of training and assessments.

You will work with a training provider who will manage the apprentice’s training and assessment programme.

By employing an apprentice, you can:

  • reduce your recruitment costs
  • build a skilled and motivated workforce tailored to your business
  • expand your business
  • fill any skills gaps
  • future-proof your business
  • increase productivity

Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors are eligible. 

Most of the training will be carried out by the employer who works with a contracted training provider.

The employer is responsible for paying the apprentice’s salary and for any additional training. Training costs are supported by the apprenticeships programme.

It is important to work with a training provider at a very early stage in the process. They can provide help, support and guidance.

Incentives 

To help businesses recruit a person who is disabled we are offering incentives until 31 March 2025.

Incentive payment for employing disabled people

  • employers who recruit a disabled apprentice will be eligible to receive an employer incentive of £2,000 per learner
  • payments are restricted to 10 disabled learners per business 
  • incentives apply to apprenticeships delivered at levels 2 to 5 only and do not apply to degree apprenticeships 

You cannot apply if:  

  • you are recruiting on a zero hours contract 
  • you are using a shared apprenticeship model 
  • a learner is identified as having a disability after they have been recruited 

Incentives will be available through your training provider. 

The programme for apprenticeships at Level 2 to 5 is delivered by a network of training providers across Wales. 

There are 4 different levels of apprenticeships available:

  • Foundation Apprenticeship (Level 2)
  • Apprenticeship (Level 3)
  • Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4 and 5)
  • Degree Apprenticeships (Level 6)

An apprentice will follow an approved Welsh Apprenticeship Framework, outlined below.

The Welsh Government’s apprenticeship framework library allows you to search and understand the options available.

The Apprenticeship Levy is a UK-wide employment tax. It is collected monthly by HM Revenue and Customs through the PAYE system.

The Levy applies to all UK employers with an annual pay bill of £3 million or more. It is charged at 0.5% of your annual pay bill.

The Welsh Government’s Apprenticeship Vacancy Service is available:

  • to help you advertise, manage and track your vacancies
  • to help you recruit an apprentice
  • for future apprentices to search for vacancies

You can advertise, manage and track your vacancies on Manage Apprenticeships.

If you have not used the service before, the Welsh Government’s user guide has instructions to help you sign in and add your vacancies.

Your vacancies will be available to view on Find an Apprenticeship.

For help and support visit the Business Wales Skills Gateway.

Apprenticeships frameworks

Apprenticeship frameworks set out the requirements for completing a Welsh apprenticeship in a specific occupation. 

In Wales, an apprentice will follow a Welsh Apprenticeship Framework. They ensure an apprentice has the relevant knowledge, skills and qualifications.

Frameworks are available in 23 sectors.

Each framework provides the pathways available and contains:

  • entry requirements (what you will need to start an apprenticeship in a particular field)
  • levels available within the sector and progression options
  • examples of job roles
  • qualifications you will gain after successfully completing an apprenticeship
  • any additional learning to support the apprenticeship

Pathways are options or routes available within the framework and are based on specific occupations or job roles. They provide the apprentice with options to support their career choices.

All apprenticeship frameworks must meet the statutory requirements set out in the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards in Wales (SASW).

Our apprenticeship frameworks include:

An occupational competency qualification; or an integrated competencies qualification that also contains the relevant technical knowledge within it. This assesses the required skills to undertake the job. It is relevant to the chosen field or occupation.

A technical knowledge qualification. This assesses the required theory and knowledge for the job role. It is skill, trade or occupation specific; and 

Essential Skills Wales qualification. This includes: application of number and communication; and digital literacy skills if applicable to the sector or job roles. This might not be relevant to all frameworks.

Other qualifications or requirements. As specified for the particular occupation.

Our apprenticeships contain regulated qualifications offered by awarding bodies recognised by Qualifications Wales. In addition, our Higher Apprenticeships also contain qualification quality assured by higher education institutions and professional bodies. 

Each qualification is: 

The CQFW can help you understand and compare qualifications.

Apprenticeship qualifications also follow National Occupational Standards (NOS).

Apprenticeship frameworks must meet the needs of the economy, industry or skills sector. 

Development includes: 

  • changes and reviews to existing frameworks or pathways.
  • creation of a new apprenticeship pathway.

A review or new development should consider and incorporate: 

  • Regional Skills Partnership Plans
  • stakeholder and industry engagement
  • relevant qualification(s)
  • alignment to apprenticeship policy
  • industry demand
  • delivery and cohort (supply)
  • Welsh Government Programme for Government and priorities
  • net zero.

The framework development process consists of 4 stages: 

  • Stage 1 – Inception Meeting
  • Stage 2 – Planning
  • Stage 3 – Stakeholder Engagement
  • Stage 4 – Pathway Issue/Approval

Framework development is commissioned by Medr or directly developed by sector bodies.  

We are now the issuing authority for apprenticeship frameworks. This means that we quality check, approve and publish apprenticeship frameworks.

The issuing authority provides a final quality measure to: 

  • test compliance with Specification of Apprenticeship Standards Wales
  • publish the frameworks.

When an apprentice completes their chosen apprenticeship, the learner or provider needs to apply for an apprenticeship certificate. The certificate is issued by the Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards (FISSS).

The training provider pays FISSS for the apprentice certificate.

We provide guidance to employers and contractors on delivering apprenticeships.

Guide for local authorities on apprenticeships

Document

Guidance for schools on apprenticeships

Document

Apprenticeship Commissioning Programme Wales Framework: employer privacy notice 

Document

Apprenticeship Commissioning Programme Wales Framework: programme specification and guidance 

This document provides guidance on the responsibilities and requirements of apprenticeship delivery contractors.

Document

Apprenticeship services privacy notice 

Privacy notice for Find an Apprenticeship and Manage Apprenticeships.

Website

Apprenticeship services terms and conditions 

Website

Become an apprentice

Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you’ll:

  • work alongside experienced staff
  • gain job specific skills
  • gain a qualification
  • earn a wage and get holiday pay
  • get time to study (usually one day a week)

Apprenticeships normally take 1 to 4 years to complete depending on their level.

Apprenticeships in Wales are available to anyone over the age of 16.

  • Foundation apprenticeship: level 2 (the equivalent of 5 good GCSE passes)
  • Apprenticeship: level 3 (the equivalent of 2 A-level passes)
  • Higher apprenticeship: level 4 or above (the equivalent of HNC, HND or foundation degree level and above)
  • Degree apprenticeship: level 6. This combines work with part-time study at a university or college to gain a full bachelor’s degree.

Degree apprenticeships are currently available in digital, engineering, advanced manufacturing and construction occupations.

Welsh language and bilingual apprenticeships allow you to train in your chosen language.

Almost all apprenticeships can be made accessible. Your employer will work with you to ensure you get tailored support to meet your needs so that you can work confidently.

Search for an apprenticeship on Find an Apprenticeship. You will find details on how to apply in the vacancy.

Careers Wales has advice to help you write an application and prepare for an interview.

Guidance for prospective apprentices 

This guide provides information and help about how to successfully apply for an apprenticeship. 

Document

Degree apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships in Wales combine the workplace learning of a traditional apprenticeship with a higher education qualification. They can also include professional qualifications relevant to industry. 

Degree apprenticeship qualifications available in Wales are limited to the priority subject areas: 

  • Digital
  • Engineering
  • Advanced manufacturing
  • Construction
Degree apprenticeships currently available

The apprenticeships run for the duration of the degree course with apprentices spending part of their time at university and the rest with their employer. A degree apprenticeship will last a minimum of three years and usually up to a maximum of five years. 

Medr fully funds degree apprentices who work in Wales while the employer covers the cost of the degree apprentice’s wages. 

Degree apprenticeships are subject to the same quality assurance as other higher education provision and comply with the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW).

A degree apprentice is normally someone with qualifications at Level 3 or equivalent on the Credit and Qualifications Framework (CQFW), and/or relevant industry experience.

To start a degree apprenticeship in Wales, you need to be:

  • aged 18 or over – there is no upper age limit
  • working in Wales for 51% or more of your time
  • in a job role appropriate to the apprenticeship

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