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An apprenticeship is a paid work opportunity that gives you ‘on-the-job’ experience alongside classroom-based learning (in person or remote) with a college, university, or training provider. It leads to a nationally recognised qualification and can be a great way to start your career or upskill in your current job.

If you are over the age of 16 and not in fulltime education, you can be an apprentice!

Apprenticeships are not only for school leavers; they can also be suitable if you are looking for a career change or want to upskill in your current job – perhaps to progress to the next level in your career.

An apprenticeship is a great way to combine paid employment with continued learning.

Benefits of doing an apprenticeship include:

  • Obtaining a nationally recognised qualification, with no tuition fees
  • Receiving a salary and benefits whilst gaining skills and experience
  • Having exposure to industry professionals who will support you in your development
  • Spending 20% of your contractual hours in ‘off-the-job’ learning with a college, university, or training provider.

An apprenticeship allows you to combine paid employment with continued learning.

80% of your work time is spent gaining ‘on-the-job’ experience and practicing your new skills, whilst the remaining 20% is spent in ‘off-the-job’ learning with a college, university, or training provider.

For the duration of your apprenticeship, you will have a mentor who will offer support and guidance and may work with you on a day-to-day basis to provide ‘on-the-job’ coaching and training.

You are paid for all your time, including the 20% spent in ‘off-the-job’ learning. At Raven, we pay the national minimum or living wage rate applicable to your age for the first year of your apprenticeship and then the Real Living Wage (currently £9.90 per hour) once you have successfully completed the first year.

At the end of your apprenticeship, you may be offered permanent employment with us. Often, our apprentices move into an ‘improver’ role for a year or so once they have finished their course, and then into a fully experienced position, with pay increases at each stage.

Entry requirements depend on the apprenticeship level and are stated on the advert for the specific vacancy, but most require a minimum of GCSE grade C in Maths and English.

All our apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on our Careers portal (see ‘Our current vacancies’ above), usually between April and August each year. If you can’t see a suitable vacancy, please complete the Register your interest form and we will be in touch when a relevant vacancy comes up.

To apply for an apprenticeship with us, we ask you to submit your CV and/or provide us with a short, written (or recorded) statement explaining why you think you’re the right person for the position.

We will review your application and if you are successful at this stage, invite you to interview with us. This is an informal conversation about you, your interests, and what you feel you can bring to the role.

We might ask you to do a short task or activity as part of the interview process but will always let you know before the day, so you have time to prepare if needed.

You are paid for all your time, including the 20% spent in ‘off-the-job’ learning. At Raven, we pay the national minimum or living wage rate applicable to your age for the first year of your apprenticeship and then the Real Living Wage (currently £9.90 per hour) once you have successfully completed the first year.

You are entitled to all of our usual contractual and non-contractual benefits, please see what we offer.

An apprenticeship allows you to combine paid employment with continued learning.

80% of your work time is spent gaining ‘on-the-job’ experience and practicing your new skills, whilst the remaining 20% is spent in ‘off-the-job’ learning with a college, university, or training provider.

You are paid for all your time, including the 20% spent in ‘off-the-job’ learning.

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, you may be offered permanent employment with us. Often, our apprentices move into an ‘improver’ role for a year or so to embed their learning and are then promoted into a fully experienced position, with pay increases at each stage.

We have a comprehensive learning and development offering at Raven and you will have access to a variety of opportunities beyond your apprenticeship course, including opportunities to develop transferable skills and behaviours.

Apprenticeship stories

Making a difference to homes and lives

Aaron completed his work experience at Raven, and he obviously enjoyed it, as he’s now joined as an apprentice. Aaron, who is 16, told us about the benefits he is already seeing from choosing to do his Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship and why he chose Raven.

“My Mum has worked at Raven for a while and has always talked about it being a very supportive environment so recommended for me to go to the Apprenticeship Open Day. I found the opportunity to work in the social housing sector really interesting, Raven’s ethos appealed to me, and I wanted to do a job that would help people.”

After doing his GCSEs, Aaron took his Mum’s advice and went along to an open day to find out more about the apprenticeship scheme at Raven. He then had an interview in August last year and started his apprenticeship in September.

He says: “I love the job that I do. I genuinely feel like I’m making a difference to people’s lives, making their homes look good before they move in. Sometimes I walk past a home where a family has moved in and know that I’ve helped to make their life more comfortable which feels great.”

Aaron highlighted another benefit of learning a trade through his apprenticeship too, adding: “It is also great to be able to learn a life-long skill that will help me when I have my own home.”

Apprenticeship kicks off Kacey’s career

When we think about apprenticeships, often what comes to mind are hands-on, trades-based roles. But Kacey, 19, is a great example of the benefits of choosing an apprenticeship for a more office-based career.

Kacey joined Raven in September on an 18-month Customer Service Apprenticeship, after seeing the role advertised online. She works four days per week and completes her college work online one day per week.

She says: “I wanted to learn about the housing sector and to work somewhere where I could make a difference. I’ve found Raven a really supportive place to work, in fact it was one of the things that attracted to Raven along with their culture and ethics. The values we work to are really positive and everyone at Raven cares about the customers which is what it should all be about.”

After completing her A levels in Maths and Business Studies and a BTEC in Hospitality, Kacey was actively looking for an apprenticeship. Seeing it as a great way to learn while working, earning and gaining experience at the same time. She has enjoyed the experience so far and is looking forward to her future with Raven.

“I can see myself progressing here, there are lots of opportunities. I would definitely recommend it to other people looking for an apprenticeship,” she says.

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