What to Do When Your Apprenticeship Ends

Author: Emma Jones

As the end of your apprenticeship draws closer you will have to start thinking about what you are going to do when it ends. When you started you probably weren’t thinking much further than the apprenticeship, so the prospect can feel a bit daunting.

The good news is that there are lots of options available to you, you just have to decide what is right for you. The great thing about apprenticeships is that you gain a qualification as well as practical experience and skills and you can use them in a number of different ways.

Know Your Options

The first thing to do is to know what is available to you that you can make an informed decision. There are a lot of places that can help you find this information. Talk to your local jobcentre about what jobs might be out there, make an appointment with the careers advisor at your college or ask you boss what opportunities there are the company. Once you have found everything out you can think about what would suit you and what you want to do once your apprenticeship come to an end.

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Finding a Job

If you started your apprenticeship straight after school, or haven’t had a job in a while then the thought of finding a job can be a bit scary. Think practically about the skills that you have learnt and what jobs you could use them in.

Is there a similar job in a different company? Can you transfer your skills to a new industry? Do you want to change role? Explore the market and see what is available before putting together a good CV that you can use to approach new employers.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Permanent Position

Another option which may be appealing is to stay within the company that you have done your apprenticeship with. This may not always be possible so you need to find out if they are doing any permanent recruitment or if they would be willing to keep you on. If they are not doing any permanent recruitment you need to convince them why they should find a place for you. Be able to give clear, concrete examples of how you are an asset to the company.

Further Education

When your apprenticeship ends you may not want to find a job but decide that you want to study further. Having built a good base with your NVQ there re lots of choices. You may want to do further study in the same subject to try and gain an HND or a degree. Or you may decide to study different subjects that build on what you have already learnt. Talk to your college about all the different options and what would suit you best.

Finishing an apprenticeship is only the beginning of your career and there are lots of options open to you. Do your research and find out all the information so you can make an informed decision. Consider whether you want to continue working or study more. Then look at what jobs are available or whether you could find a permanent position with your current company.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Apprenticeship Eligibility Checker lets you tell us about your situation and find out which UK apprenticeships you qualify for and how to apply. Try it now →

56 questions

Ask An Apprenticeship a Question

Sai 18/12/2020 at 5:08 am

What should I do after completing scrs
acts apprentice exam

Shuk 17/10/2020 at 12:58 am

Hello, I am starting an apprenticeship in roof plumbing apprenticeship and I want to do further education after completion is there further education for roof plumbing please

Vikash 07/08/2020 at 2:00 pm

Victoria agro foods Pvt Ltd mey 10month experience hay ITI in electrician bord operator mey kam kiya he koi vacancy he to btayiye plz

Vikash 07/08/2020 at 1:56 pm

Mera ITI in electrician ho gya he koi job he to plz call me mo no 7350621848

Vivek chaudhari 06/08/2020 at 2:07 pm

Mere aprentices nhi ho pa rhe hay kese ho aprentics

pavan 05/08/2020 at 7:45 am

sir maine 1 sal ka apprenticeship complete kiya hai computer oprator se mpeb sector se agr koi job ho to plzzz mujhe bhi contact mre sir 8357898076 mera contact nmber hai

PK 18/07/2020 at 1:33 pm

Sir I'm passed iti with electrician. What to I do for my secure career &future...

Roni 01/07/2020 at 3:56 pm

Sir i m not apprentice.
I'm search apprentice. Plzz give me one chance for apprentice
Ph. No. 9068383731

Quiche 08/06/2020 at 9:46 am

Hello my daughter started an apprenticeship in September for 18mth .They have said now it will finish in August because of this virus.Is this correct an what if she doesn’t finish the course work because of this ?

Kamesh 26/05/2020 at 7:22 am

I have completed my 1 Year apprentice from 2018 jan to 2018 dec in INDIAN RAILWAYS.as an electrician,and i got my certificate also. I want a perment job in a company. What can i do next please guide me.

Appu 26/05/2020 at 3:16 am

Hi sir iam complited the apprenticeship in
Railway in this year please help my next opurtunuty my trade fitter

Appu 26/05/2020 at 3:11 am

Hi sir iam complited the apprenticeship in railway in this year please help my next job

James 24/04/2020 at 9:22 pm

My L3 apprenticeship is due to end in June, I have asked and emailed on several occasions from December about what will be happening when the apprenticeship comes to an end. Only now (24th April) they have told me that there will not be a permanent position after.
Should they have given me more notice?

sue 21/03/2020 at 3:44 pm

my 16 year old daughter is doing hair dressing apprentist the shop has just closed what does she need to do especially with the virus at the moment?

sue 21/03/2020 at 3:44 pm

my 16 year old daughter is doing hair dressing apprentership the shop has just closed what does she need to do especially with the virus at the moment?

Amanda 12/02/2020 at 1:33 pm

Hi, my son is close to completing an apprenticeship with a secondary school. He's already got a degree and now close to completing a level 3 teaching assistant qualification. He's due to finish early april. He got a letter yesterday informing him of his end date and when to expect his p45. He was hoping to get a permanent job with the school. I just wanted to ask if the letter is a generic legal requirement that the school has to send out, or dies this mean they don't have any intentions of offering him a permanent position

BUBUN 01/11/2019 at 3:26 am

Sir i finished my apprentice as a electrician now what can I do I am tottaly confusedBUBUN

Pete 22/10/2019 at 12:46 pm

This site is as useful as a seized engine. You will not find any helpful info here, do not waste your time seek your answers elsewhere.

Mulan 22/06/2019 at 12:43 pm

Hi, I have been finished my level 2 Apprenticeship for a few monthd, and am going to do level 3. Should my pay increase?

Av 13/03/2019 at 11:34 am

Hi I'm about to finish my apprenticeship in electrical engineering, my worry is to find a job

Av 13/03/2019 at 11:31 am

Hello I'm about to finish my apprenticeship in electrical engineering , I'm worried that I'm going to struggle to get a job

Leigh 29/09/2018 at 7:23 pm

Hi I.am coming up to completing my apprenticeship with a surface preparation company as an operative. I've achieved cscs certificate for blasting machine and cpcs for bobcat. They are now saying to confirm my employment I need a full driving licence which they say they asked me to achieve in my one year apprenticeship. I cannot find confirmation of this being asked only word of mouth that it would be beneficial to have s full licence now I'm so worried I'm going to lose this job I enjoy. They are making me sign a letter confirming that to become an operative I had to get my full drivers licence during my one year apprenticeship. My mum has advised me not to sign it and seek advice. Can you help please?

Higgs 19/09/2018 at 11:56 am

I started my apprenticeship last September and i'm due to finish next month however i am still 17, and will not turn 18 until next July. With the whole rule that i need to stay in education till i'm 18, i have been offered a full time position at the firm i am an apprentice for. Am i aloud to stay here as a full time job or will i have to go to college/find another apprenticeship etc.?

Aaron 04/04/2018 at 11:54 pm

I am thinking about doing an apprenticeship instead of a levels-maybe in civil engineering or something like that, I was wondering what qualifications I would come out with at the end of the apprenticeship. Do I go straight into a job after it ends? What’s the difference in doing an apprenticeship and doing a levels to go onto university? Thanks

AnApprenticeship Editor 27/02/2018 at 11:55 am

The choice is yours. However, you must then do one of the following until you’re 18; stay in full-time education, for example at a college, start an apprenticeship or traineeship and/or spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training

Taylor 26/02/2018 at 7:41 pm

Hello I started my apprenticeship in July 17 I’m 16 years old and more than happy in my job , what happens at the end of my first year , do I have to go back to school or do I carry on working

Sammy 09/01/2018 at 9:40 pm

Hi there, I haven't recently finished all of my college work (Last June) and I have handed in my portfolio (Last October) Which I think I have passed as they have not sent it back. I was wondering, now that I have finished my college work and I am awaiting my results for my portfolio, if I am still a basically an apprentice of if I am now entitled to my age groups minimum wage. If it helps, my employer has taken me on, but my wage is still at an apprentices.

Greg 28/04/2017 at 7:33 am

Hi, I recently finished my business apprenticeship and the company weren't able to keep me on permanently. However as I worked with the accounts team I have decided I want to study AAT. If I took an AAT apprenticeship would I be entitled to minimum wage for my age or £3.50? I'm 21.

Dj 22/04/2017 at 11:53 am

I was signed off my apprenticeship on the 30 of January 2017 and my wages stil haven't gone up when should I be ecspecting a pay rise as I have spoken to my boss and he told me not till the following year

AnApprenticeship Editor 20/04/2017 at 12:22 pm

If you have paid National Insurance contributions for the past two years, you should be eligible to claim JSA. You would be advised to speak to your local Jobcentre Plus directly in order to explore your options regarding this.

Lily 19/04/2017 at 10:38 pm

My apprenticeship is up and they cant taje me in to do my level 3 I leave at the end of this month would I then be able to apply for JSA or am I not entitled im 21?

K 15/04/2017 at 12:52 pm

Hi my daughter finished her apprenticeship in January. She's only just in April had an interview to stay on at her place of work. Is it correct they've been paying her £3.40 for past 3 months and also interview was at beginning of month and not paying full wage til end of month. Confused..

Boo 09/03/2017 at 10:09 pm

I had a meeting with my training provider today who signed me off for the end of my apprenticeship, I reminded them that my maths module wasn't finished and I hadn't taken an exam but they told me as I have now been signed off there is nothing they can do, I have also been given 1 weeks notice to leave by them, my manager is furious with this and is trying to get the company to keep me on.
I have not been told by the company that I have to go but as I am employed by an apprenticeship provider where do I stand as the apprenticeship position no longer exists

Soja 19/12/2016 at 8:53 am

Having finished my appy. Which college can accept me for a degree or equivalent administration course to increase my capability in industrial management

Frustrated Engg.?? 02/11/2016 at 9:59 pm

can i do apprenticeship and 12th togeather and then join for btech on the basis of my 12th certificate? if yes...then is their any provision to take home study leave from the college, so that i can attend my apprentice and do my 12th study at home.

Brandon 02/11/2016 at 6:35 pm

I have finished my apprenticeship and started a new one with the same company when I got my certificate they said they have to keep them for six months but I don't really want them to have I got a right to have them ?

Maryam 19/07/2016 at 9:03 am

I have applied for uni and now i wish to apply for apprenticeship aswell. Is that possible? Can i go uni untill i dont recieve any interviews for apprenticeship or do i have to stick to one??

Aisha 19/07/2016 at 8:58 am

Hello i just wanted to know that if i apply for a advanced level for apprenticeship then would i recieve a level 3 qualification in the workplacement i did my apprenticeship in?

lotty 10/07/2016 at 4:25 pm

I am wondering can I leave 1 apprenticeship before the end of it and start another one straight away

sarah.d 29/05/2016 at 9:05 pm

My apprenticeship within childcare is finishing on 1st of July. There are currently no jobs available in my area and my current employer has no available positions due to numbers of children for next academic year. I have seen an apprentice chef advertised at my local college and wondered if I should apply for this now as an extra option if i cannot find a job? I need the money as I have my own flat, and a car to run.

AnApprenticeship Editor 16/05/2016 at 11:58 am

If you wish to leave the company you are working for once your apprenticeship has ended, then the best option for you is to both look at yoru existing contract to see what it specifies about your notice period and speak directly to your employer once you have this information to hand.

Natasha 15/05/2016 at 3:25 pm

My apprenticeship finishes on the 26th may do I have to put my month's notice in and can the employer put me on more hours after that day even though I haven't signed a contract to say I am staying on at the company

neeno 30/04/2016 at 6:29 pm

I hav completed my technicisn apprentice before 1 month from BSNL NEW DELHI.but their employees havn't helped me for job.now I falt that I have waste my 1 year . I have always gotten my stipend after 7-8 months and my last 3 months stipend hasn't paid.plz saggest me what should I do for my better career?

dj 28/04/2016 at 9:51 pm

iam working for 1year apprentice on indian overseas bank 2002 batch, still now iam not get apprenticeship completed certificate, how to get my please help me

AnApprenticeship Editor 22/04/2016 at 11:05 am

We are glad you are finding your apprenticeship fulfilling. Good luck with your future career.

MaisieRodge 21/04/2016 at 12:50 pm

I am currently doing an apprenticeship in Digital Marketing with DigitalMe. I absolutely love it im learning about search engine optimisation, website design and a lot more. Im hoping to carry on working for the company!

Matty Editor 18/04/2016 at 2:26 pm

@a-h - it's completely up to your employer if they want to take you on, despite whether you've passed or failed.

a-h 17/04/2016 at 11:35 pm

I'm coming to the end of my apprenticeship and its looking like i may fail. if the company still want to keep me on because i am actually a good worker, are they able to employ me? if so, do you know the legislation and paragraph?

Lal 23/01/2016 at 6:52 am

Can i know more about the scope after completion of apprenticeship in accountancy and audit at isro

AnApprenticeship Editor 20/01/2016 at 11:26 am

You would have to look at your apprenticeship contract to see what it specifies regarding both yours and your employer's position once the contract ends.

summer 19/01/2016 at 12:24 pm

I am coming towards the end of my apprenticeship of administration. After I finish, I would like to look elsewhere for a job and leave the company as soon as I finish.do I need to give month notice to the workplace if I want to leave after my apprenticeship finishes?

habz 14/12/2015 at 8:03 am

I did an apprenticeship in business administration then was allowed to change to do customer service as I was told I had potential in that area. its been nearly over a year in the apprenticeship including being extended, I have learnt a lot which included confident in dealing with customers and providing customer satisfaction- I only have a week left of my apprenticeship and finish on Tuesday 22nd December 2015,

AnApprenticeship Editor 10/12/2015 at 3:30 pm

Please see gov.uk link herefor minimum wage rates. Unfortunately, while there are some great apprenticeship out there, there are some that are not suited to everyone.

Apprentice 10/12/2015 at 2:47 pm

I'm nearly at the end of my one and a half year apprenticeship at a school as an administrator... And I hate it!! They told me they will offer me a permanent job after but now I hear they will put me on a post apprenticeship wage??!! Wth is that I've tried searching and don't know what it is... They wanna keep me on and pay me pennies and my work load is huge like a normal administrator... Let me just say apprenticeships help employers get cheap labour and doesn't benefit the apprentices much :(

Blan 25/03/2015 at 8:36 am

I have 1 week left of my 1 year apprenticeship and I have learnt nothing. To top it all off I have not been told if I have a job after it, and I have asked numerous times. I am applying for other jobs but am stuck as to what I can do between jobs. I really dislike the job I'm doing but have a great work ethic and don't want to be jobless. Can someone please help?

Engineer 18/09/2014 at 12:01 pm

I am B.Tech Mechanical Engineer. I have completed my 1 year apprenticeship.
I performed excellently while my apprenticeship. Done many cost saving projects.
But there wasn't any relatives of mine in company so I had to discontinue. Now I am not got any job. Where ever I go everyone asks me why previous employer did not continue you?
Without any performance test how can they rank me??
This apprenticeship is just a joke on my career.
Please don't harass students, cause your rules are never followed by my employer. I worked too much hard. I get big Zero.
Stop Apprenticeship for Engineering graduates.

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