The choices young people make in their mid-teens can be life-defining and therefore incredibly daunting, so it is vital that parents, guardians and carers are on hand to support them in their decision making.
For many school leavers, the prospect of further education is the last thing they want to consider so what is the alternative?
An apprenticeship gives young people – and the not-so-young – an opportunity to get into the world of work and continue to gain useful qualifications that could stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
It’s important to support young people to find the right environment for them, so they develop a career somewhere they will thrive. Tarmac, the UK’s leading sustainable construction materials, road contracting and building products business, offers a huge range of apprentice roles. Don’t be afraid to seek advice, do some research and talk to teachers, career leads and businesses to help you make a more informed choice together.
Here – during National Apprenticeship Week 2022 – we offer parents and carers a quick and easy guide to apprenticeships and how to go about getting one.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that involves the completion of a training course in conjunction with a full-time job. Apprentices will gain real-world on-the-job experience while completing formal education at university or college, often as block-releases studies.
Why chose an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are really varied now and not necessarily just about learning a trade – we have apprenticeships in HR/finance and any other areas that cover professional qualifications and skilled trades now.
They are a genuine alternative to full-time college or university, enabling individuals to gain invaluable hands-on experience alongside a nationally recognised qualification, equipping them with essential skills and knowledge required to excel in their career.
Who can qualify for an apprenticeship?
To qualify for an apprenticeship at Tarmac, the candidate must:
- be aged 16 or over+ at the time of enrolment
- be a UK or European Economic Area (EEA), or have lived in the UK or EEA for the past three years
- not already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment
How much can apprentices expect to earn?
Nationally, apprentice wages start at a minimum of £4.30 per hour, however all of Tarmac’s positions offer significantly higher earnings.
What holidays and annual leave are apprentices entitled to?
Our apprentices are granted 25 days annual leave per year, with public holidays on top of this allowance.
How are apprenticeship courses delivered?
Apprenticeships blend on-the-job learning with study towards a qualification. This will be delivered via 
a learning provider either through a college or online. We also deliver some of our apprenticeships in-house, with learning also taking place at our award-winning training facility in Nottinghamshire – The Park!
You’ll have a structured plan of learning in your day-to-day role, supported by your line manager and a mentor. You’ll apply the skills you learn, earning while you go!
What types of apprenticeships are available?
We offer apprenticeships across all disciplines, whether it’s learning a trade, (mechanical and electrical), working in our operations (front-line operators, quality control) or in our functional roles – customer services, finance, even HR – chances are there is something for everyone!
Tarmac offers a wide range of apprentice and higher apprentice roles. Visit our early careers pages to find out all about the exciting opportunities that are available.
Do you have to be in full-time employment to complete an apprenticeship?
To complete an apprenticeship, an individual must be employed for minimum of 30 hours per week. Our roles are typically contracted to 37.5 hours per week, spread over five working days.
How long does an apprenticeship last?
It varies widely depending on the role you are performing within the company. Typically, an apprenticeship lasts one to two years, while higher or degree level apprenticeships may take longer.
What happens at the end of an apprenticeship course?
At the end of the apprenticeship course, individuals will usually be offered a substantive role in their relevant discipline or move into a higher field of study with us. Apprentices get exposed to many different parts of our business and we work with them individually to define the right career pathways.
Often, apprentices choose to stay with Tarmac and we have many people at every level of the business who started as apprentices, demonstrating the ability to progress and grow with the company.
How do you support apprentices with learning difficulties and physical disabilities?
In line with our inclusion and diversity plans, we work hard to break down barriers to support apprentices of all abilities. For the apprenticeships we deliver in house, we offer wrap-around support for Maths and English, where individuals had difficulty getting the required GCSE grades.
What’s next?
To apply for apprenticeship roles with Tarmac, visit https://tarmaccareers.com/early-careers/apprentices-and-higher-apprentices/ and you can email us at [email protected] with any queries.
Hear from some of our apprentices about a career with Tarmac:
Meet Abbie: Abbie Fryatt – Tarmac Apprentice
Meet Max: Max Billington – Tarmac Apprentice
Top – Amaya Firdaws, one of our young apprentice engineers who is currently working on the A34 Highways Improvement Project in Perry Barr, Birmingham. As well as the many operational roles Tarmac has to offer, there are also key support roles within the company.
