Apprenticeships for school staff
What are apprenticeships?
Apprenticeships are paid jobs which incorporate on and off the job training. A successful apprentice will receive a nationally recognised qualification on the completion of their contract.
There are two different types of apprenticeship schemes: frameworks and standards. Apprenticeship frameworks are currently being phased out and replaced by the newer apprenticeship standards. All starts from 1 August 2020 have been on new, employer-designed standards, and it is expected that existing apprentices on frameworks will have completed their apprenticeship framework by 31 July 2025.
Apprenticeships are available at different levels:
| Name | Level | Equivalent educational grade |
| Intermediate | 2 | 5 GCSE passes at grades A*-C |
| Advanced | 3 | 2 A level passes |
| Higher | 4,5,6,7 | Foundation degree and above |
| Degree | 6,7 | Bachelor's or Master's degree |
For school staff, apprenticeship standards have been developed for:
- Teaching assistants (level 3)
- Team leader (level 3) with enrichment sessions from Maximising TAs
- School business managers (level 4)
- Production chef (level 2)
- Senior production chef (level 3)
- Early years practitioner (level 2)
- Early years educator (level 3)
- Teachers (level 6)
The LACA website also has factsheets on the production chef apprenticeship and the senior production chef apprenticeship.
Apprentices have the same rights as other employees and are entitled to be paid at least the apprentice rate of the national minimum wage. However, that rate is very low – just £6.40 an hour from 1 April 2024. UNISON wants an end to discriminatory rates and for the national minimum wage to be set at a ‘living wage’ level.
You can find more advice from UNISON about apprenticeships here.
You can find more information on apprenticeships from the government here.