In the UK, Apprenticeships are just one of the many paths available for both post-16 and post-18 students. They are a popular option for those who know which sector they would like to enter in the working world. As Apprenticeships are employer run, applying is very similar to the process taken when inquiring into a job. However, lots of students looking into Apprenticeships find that there is very little information available about the restrictions in the application process as there is with UCAS and university. One of the biggest questions you should be asking is of how many Apprenticeships you can apply for?
Not only is it possible to apply for more than one Apprenticeship, but it is in fact advised. Employers taking on apprentices are not guaranteed to accept all candidates, and so having a backup is an intelligent move. All courses can be applied for either at the same time or throughout the course of the year as you receive updates from different companies on your application’s success. On top of this, there is no limit to the number of Apprenticeships which can be applied for.
For additional information on how to apply for Apprenticeships and how the process works as well as more details on the number of Apprenticeships which can be applied for, read on.
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How many Apprenticeships can you apply for?
Unlike with universities, where you can only apply for a maximum of five places, there is no limit to the number of Apprenticeships you can apply to. These can be applied to at any time throughout the end of Year 12 and beginning of Year 13, depending on the deadlines set by the company.
Not only are there no restrictions on the number of workplaces you can apply to, but you also have unlimited access to all the sectors you wish to apply for. This means that whilst applying to an engineering Apprenticeship, you could also be sending your CV to a marketing firm.
The applications process for Apprenticeships is explained further in this article.
The beauty of being able to apply for more than one Apprenticeship is that if you are unsuccessful with your preferred company, you can simply try another one. As there are no deadlines for application, you can make this second application at any time, even after receiving feedback from your other inquiries.
The process of applying to Apprenticeships in the UK is explained by UCAS in this article, alongside some tips on how to keep track of your applications.
Can you do more than one Apprenticeship?
Alongside being able to apply for more than one Apprenticeship, it is also possible to take more than one in your lifetime. Due to the nature of an Apprenticeship, taking one as a student fresh out of school narrows down your options for the future very quickly.
Apprenticeship programs are tailored to fit a specific sector only. This course structure is perfect for anyone who knows exactly where they want to go in life. However, for those who reach a point in their career and realise they want a change of direction, this can be very limiting.
That’s why being able to take another Apprenticeship after having completed one earlier in life is so useful. It means adults who want a shift in direction can easily make the switch between sectors. This article from Milton Keynes College explains adult education including the benefits of Apprenticeships in more detail.
Taking an Apprenticeship also doesn’t prevent your ability to go to university later in life. Even if you’re doing an Apprenticeship in management now, you could very easily start a degree or an Apprenticeship in another field in the future.
Are there any drawbacks to applying for more than one Apprenticeship?
Whilst there is technically no limit on the number of applications you send in, it is advisable that you limit yourself. By applying to too many places, there is a high chance that you could end up losing track of who you have sent CV to.
This can make chasing up responses more complicated. More importantly, it could mean that you miss an important email informing you of the success in your application.
As well as becoming extremely confusing, there is the chance that more than one of your applications will be accepted if you contact lots of workplaces. This then puts you in the difficult position of having to choose between several Apprenticeships. Furthermore, you will then have to decline any companies you choose not to work with, which can also be difficult.
Apprenticeships are generally designed for people who know exactly what they want to do in life, or at least have an idea of which sector they want to pursue. Being able to apply to two completely different sectors sounds brilliant in theory. However, the reality of the situation is that if you feel the need to apply for two very different programs, then an Apprenticeship is not the right path for you.
Can you do multiple Apprenticeships at the same time?
Technically speaking, if you were taking two Apprenticeships part-time, then it would be possible to take more than one at once. However, not only is this strongly advised against, but also has no benefit to you as a learner.
Taking two Apprenticeships at once would become extremely confusing, as it would involve travelling to two separate workplaces, both of which will undoubtedly run differently. On top of this, if it was a degree Apprenticeship, you would be learning information for multiple courses at once.
By taking two Apprenticeships at once, your CV doesn’t become any more impressive and future employers are unlikely to give you any additional thought over other applicants because of it. In fact, all that will happen is that you take twice as long to complete each Apprenticeship, meaning your education will finish even later.
Taking two Apprenticeships simultaneously can also cause conflict later on if either of the companies chooses to offer you a full-time job on completion. If both consider you for continued employment, you will then be forced into deciding between them.
This may also result in you having to explain the situation, which might put them off. It will make them doubt your loyalty and they may start to question whether you have the potential to become a long-lasting employee.
What types of Apprenticeships can you apply for?
Unlike with GCSEs and A-Levels, there is not one set type of Apprenticeship which you can apply for. Apprenticeships can be taken from Level 1 (GCSE level) all the way up to Level 5 (Degree Level) and exist in most sectors.
Click here to read this UCAS article briefly outlining the different types of Apprenticeship available in the UK currently.
At any level, it is possible to apply for as many Apprenticeship courses as you want, but you must have the prerequisites required. For example, to complete a degree-level Apprenticeship, you must have a set of decent A-Level grades or the equivalent. Most forms of further education are adequate preparation. Reading this article will explain which qualifications are classed as “further education” and what this means.
Again, it is very possible to take more than one Apprenticeship at all levels. However, participating in more than one Level 3 Apprenticeship wouldn’t be entirely useful for most students. The main reason a person re-enters apprentice education in adulthood is for a career-path change.
To apply for a degree-level Apprenticeship as a mature student, the rules surrounding prerequisites change, meaning you don’t actually need an A-Level to apply. Therefore, most adults don’t bother with the A-Level Apprenticeship and skip straight to degree-level.