Apprenticeships

If you’re looking to become an apprentice, scroll down this page or use the links below to jump straight to a section you’re interested in. If you work for an organisation looking to take on an apprentice, with training delivered by WAES, please visit our partnerships page on apprenticeships.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a job where you earn while you learn. You will gain experience and work towards a qualification at the same time. As you are an employee, you will have a contract of employment and holiday leave. It can take between one and four years to complete an apprenticeship depending on which apprenticeship you are on.

Benefits of an apprenticeship

It allows you to learn and train for a specific job
You will get paid, receive holiday leave and other benefits
You get hands-on, relevant work experience in your chosen sector
You are able to study for at least 20% of your working hours – usually at a college, university or with a training provider.

Eligibility requirements

To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to:

Be aged 16 or over;
Live in England;
Have the Right to Work in the UK;
Not be in full-time education.

The requirement for all apprentices to have Level 2 Functional Skills (GCSE grade C or above) Maths and English was recently removed for adult apprentices (19+) from February 2025, making it an optional requirement based on employer and apprentice needs.

Apprenticeships we offer at WAES

Level 3 Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant

Visit page

Level 3 Cultural Learning and Participation Officer

Visit page

Level 3 Collections Technician

Visit page

Level 3 Art Market Coordinator

Visit page

Level 3 Customer Service Specialist (coming soon)

Visit page

Level 3 Hair, Wigs, Make-up and Prosthetics Technician (coming soon)

Visit page

We also work with the Sayers Croft Trust on the Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor apprenticeship programme.

How to apply

In order to undertake an apprenticeship, you first must apply for and secure an apprenticeship position. If we are advertising on behalf of employers, you can see current opportunities below. If you are interested, you must apply directly to the organisation by following the job vacancy advert.

Please email apprenticeships@waes.ac.uk for more information. You can also search for more opportunities on the Government’s apprenticeships hub.

Complete the form below to receive occasional email updates from WAES as well as alerts when apprenticeship opportunities become available.