What is a creative and design apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship in the sector is a practical, work-based route into your chosen creative career. You will gain the qualifications and skills to work in the field while earning a salary and not paying tuition fees.
You could be doing special FX for movies, designing clothes for fashion shows or out photographing wildlife in the African desert.
Career opportunities from a creative and design apprenticeship
An apprenticeship in the industry can lead to a range of careers, including a:
There are also opportunities to work for yourself later on in your career.
Podcast: Creative and design degree apprenticeships
Listen to our brand new podcast all about degree apprenticeships in creative and design. Find out about funding, what day-to-day life is like, making friends, and more from our expert panel.A day in the life of a Video Production Apprenticeship
Esha is a video production apprentice at Channel 4.
£23,000
Over 3,000
The thing with video editing is that we all do things slightly differently so having lots of conversations during the apprenticeship and working collaboratively is how you learn from each other and pick up little hacks along the way. It’s a really friendly environment to work and learn in.
We’re not age or experience limited and we’re not looking for a certain type of person. Instead, we’re looking for people with the right attitude and aptitude and those passionate about the creative industries. There’s a real opportunity to build a hugely successful career for those with the drive and passion to go for it.
A day in the life of a Design Apprentice
Max is a digital user experience degree apprentice at IBM.
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Pros and considerations
Pros
- The industry is fast-paced.
- It’s a very sociable environment.
- You can see the impact of your role.
Considerations
- It can be a stressful environment.
- You may need to work evenings and weekends.
- Roles can be competitive.
Who would suit a creative and design apprenticeship?
You might be interested in a creative and design apprenticeship if you:
- have a creative mind
- are passionate about producing art or writing
- are innovative and curious
You might be a good fit for a creative and design apprenticeship if you:
- have an eye for detail
- are creative
- are resilient
- can manage your time well
- work well as part of a team
Find employers offering creative apprenticeships
Discover employers in the creative sector, like IBM, BBC, Channel 4, and Warner Bros. Discovery, to name a few.
Find your ideal employer
FAQs about creative and design apprenticeships
How do creative and design apprenticeships work?
An apprenticeship is an opportunity to work and study at the same time. You spend most of your time doing on-the-job training, and the rest is spent working towards a qualification. You get paid a salary and get dedicated study time throughout the week.
Apprenticeships are available at a range of levels depending on the type you do.
How long is an apprenticeship in the sector?
What qualifications do you need?
Entry requirements are different depending on the role you’re interested in. For example, Level 2 apprenticeships generally need no formal qualifications, while you may need GCSEs and A levels for a degree apprenticeship.
Remember, it’s not all about qualifications. To succeed in the role, you’ll need soft skills like creativity, attention to detail, and curiosity.
What is the salary for an apprentice in the sector?
The salary varies depending on the role you’re interested in, and every employer will pay differently. You will be paid at least the minimum wage of £4.81 per hour, but many employers offer more than this. You’ll need to have a look at some vacancies to get an idea of what the salary would be.
It is really competitive to get an apprenticeship, so you need to stand because of the volume of people who apply. It’s not about giving employers the answers you think they want to hear because they’ve heard those a thousand times. It’s thinking outside the box and answering in a different way that they’ll remember.
When I was searching for apprenticeships I had no idea what to look for, so I’d definitely recommend doing lots of research to find out more. You can research the different opportunities out there and see what sparks your interest. I’d also say don’t put all your eggs in one basket and apply for a few to give yourself the best chance.
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Want to see what vacancies are out there or ready to apply? Use our Career Finder tool to search for your perfect apprenticeship.
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