Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great way to learn skills and gain hands on experience that directly impacts your daily role.
Apprenticeships are a great way to develop your skills, knowledge and experience and are open to new and existing staff (dependent on enrolment requirements and levy budget approval). Apprenticeships range from level 2 (GCSE) to level 7 (Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree), across a broad range of professions.
Best of all, with the University paying the apprenticeship levy, the cost of your apprenticeship will likely be covered.
Latest News
- Level 5 Women in Leadership Apprenticeship
- Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship FAQs
Get in touch
- For queries about apprenticeships offered at Aston University, please contact us via email.
- For queries about apprenticeships offered bu external providers, please contact Organisational Development.
- Queries about Recruitment? Contact the Recruitment Team.
Watch a video from Careers and Placement student Sarah Collins
- Information for learners
An alternative way to develop your career
If you are already in work you may find yourself in the position where you are looking to:
- Improve your knowledge and skills to help further your career
- Improve your chances of being considered for a specific job
- Try something new.
Apprenticeships provide that opportunity, offering a combination of on-the-job training with classroom learning to develop the knowledge and skills you need to achieve a nationally recognised qualification and enhance your career prospects.Apprenticeships are available to both new and existing staff.
Please note, you must have a contract of employment with Aston for the duration of the Apprenticeship qualification you would like to complete e.g., if you are on a fixed term contract at the University, the contract must go beyond the completion date of the apprenticeship.
As the University is paying the apprenticeship levy, the cost of an apprenticeship is likely to be already covered.
You must discuss the potential of starting an apprenticeship with your line manager before proceeding. Once approved, your manager will work with you to follow the process for enrolment.
Find out more about off the job training by clicking here
- Information for managers
An alternative way to build your team
An apprenticeship is a real job with training allowing the apprentice to achieve a nationally recognised qualification whilst earning a salary. Apprenticeships can:
- Enable us to grow our own talent and build a loyal and qualified workforce
- Help tackle skill shortages
- Attract enthusiastic talent with fresh ideas
- Can be tailored to specific job roles, making them flexible to your team’s / department’s needs
- Provide you with the skilled workers you need for the future
- Increase employee satisfaction and loyalty and help reduce staff turnover
- Be free – the university (in most circumstances) can draw down the levy to cover the cost of the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships are available to both new and existing staff.Please note, staff must have a contract of employment with Aston for the duration of the Apprenticeship qualification they would like to complete e.g., if they are on a fixed term contract at the University, the contract must go beyond the completion date of the apprenticeship.
New apprentices employed by the University will be paid as per the Apprenticeship Pay Scales which equates to 80% of the University salary scales. There is no set grade for apprentices and we advise you to share your plans with your HR Business Partner who will also be able to undertake a Job Evaluation of the role to establish the grade.
Current salary scales for apprenticeships
Please note that there will be no changes to the salaries of existing staff undertaking an apprenticeship.
Over the course of their apprenticeship, apprentices (new employees and existing staff) are entitled to 6 hours (full time staff or pro rated for part time staff) of their working week allocated to their study which may include attendance at college, an on-site visit from a tutor or project work.
To help managers discover the apprenticeships relevant to their areas of work, Organisational Development is able to search the Digital Apprenticeship Service for details of all current apprenticeships and their providers.
- How to enrol and frequently asked questions
Forms:
- Expression of Interest Form
- Raise the Bar L5 EOI Form - request from orgdev@aston.ac.uk
- Raise the Bar L3 EOI Form - request from orgdev@aston.ac.uk
How to upload your completed forms to the Aston Staff Portal:
Manager
Employee
- Useful links
- What degree apprenticeships are on offer at Aston?
For a full list of apprenticeships are available at Aston, visit the Apprenticeships page.
ILM
Since December 1997 Organisational Development has been an accredited ILM centre, offering a range of ILM courses including Level 3 Award or Certificate in Leadership and Management and Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring.
- Level 3 Award and Certificate in Leadership and Management
The Level 3 Award and Certificate in Leadership and Management are ideal for individuals who have management responsibilities but no formal training, and are serious about developing their abilities.
Benefits for individuals:
- Gain a range of key management skills and put them into practice in their own role
- Build their leadership capabilities – motivate and engage teams, manage relationships confidently
- Develop their leadership and management skills using their own knowledge, values and motivations
Additional benefits:
While you’re working towards an ILM qualification, you’re eligible for a minimum of 12 months Studying Membership of The Institute of Leadership & Management. This gives you access to a range of exclusive online resources and events to help you to successfully complete your qualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications for 2023 cohort will open in January 2023. Keep an eye out on our communication channels.
Course testimonials
- Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring
The Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and mentoring is designed for managers, department heads and practising middle managers who are team leaders and have people to coach and develop. This course will allow you to develop your skills and experience, improve your performance and prepare for senior management responsibilities.
Benefits for individuals:
- Gain a critical understanding of the role and responsibilities of the workplace coach and mentor
- Deepen your understanding of how coaching and mentoring can impact an organisation
- Be able to assess your own skills, behaviours, and knowledge as a coach and mentor
- Provide evidence of your own development as a coach and a mentor through the qualification
- Plan your further development
- Plan, deliver, and review coaching and mentoring in your organisation.
The next cohort is planned for late 2023, look out for communications on Yammer and in Aston Connects. Don’t want to wait? You can enrol on an equivalent level 5 programme through our external provider Raise the Bar – speak to the OD team to find out more
All delegates who successfully complete the programme are expected to join an internal coaching pool and undertake a minimum of 16 hours formal coaching per year.
How to apply:
Application form and learner's agreementFrequently Asked Questions:
Click here