Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a different way of learning, launching you straight into the workplace and giving you a great start in your chosen career. On an apprenticeship you will not only earn a wage, you’ll also gain invaluable practical skills and on-the-job training, while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Whether you want to be an office administrator, builder or commi chef, you’ll find an apprenticeship to suit you at Southwark College. Having matched you with an employer in your chosen sector, we work together to develop an individual training programme designed to give you the job-specific skills you need to succeed. On average, apprentices spend four days a week working alongside experienced staff in the workplace and one day a week at Southwark College studying towards their qualification.
Check out our current apprenticeship vacancies below:
- Current vacancies
- Why choose us?
- Southwark College is an ‘outstanding’ apprenticeship provider with an achievement rate 14.1% above the national average*
- We have excellent relationships with employers across business, construction, hospitality and the creative arts.
- Our campus is easily accessible by train, tube or bus
- Our apprenticeships run all year round, so you don’t need to wait until term-time to get started
- We provide lots of support throughout the process – from finding the right apprenticeship to advising you on your next steps once you’ve completed it
- We’re part of NCG, the UK’s largest college group which has an excellent reputation for delivering high quality apprenticeships
*Subject to National Data published Early 2019
- What we offer
At Southwark College we offer:
- Apprenticeships (equivalent to level 2) which run for 12 to 24 months
- Advanced apprenticeships (equivalent to level 3) which run for 18 months or more
Our apprenticeships cover a range of roles in four key sectors:
Hospitality and Support Services
- Commis Chef
- Chef de Partie
- Hospitality Team Member
- Hospitality Supervisor
Creative
- Community Arts Administration Intermediate
- Community Arts Management Advanced
- Supporting Live Events Promotion Intermediate and Advanced
- Supporting Cultural Venue Operations Intermediate
- Cultural Venue Operations Advanced
- Technical Theatre, Sound, Light and Stage Intermediate
Business
- Business Administrator
- Customer Service Practitioner
- Team Leading
- Management
- IT Intermediate & Advanced
Construction
- Carpentry Intermediate
- Brickwork Intermediate
- Painting and Decorating Intermediate
- Plumbing Intermediate Apprenticeship
- Property Maintenance
- What is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study, enabling you to gain recognised qualifications and essential skills while working and earning a wage (including holiday pay).
Key facts:
- Apprenticeships usually take between one and four years, although this will vary depending on your employer, employment sector and your own skills and ability
- There are three types of apprenticeship:
- Intermediate – equivalent to 5 GCSE passes
- Advanced – equivalent to 2 A level passes
- Higher – can lead to NVQ Level 4 and above, or a foundation degree
- You need to be 16+, living in England and not in full-time education to do an apprenticeship (but you can apply when you’re still at school)
- Apprentices are paid at least the National Minimum Wage for your age
- Minimum working hours are normally 20 hours a week plus one day at college
- You’ll get at least 20 days’ holiday pay a year, plus bank holidays
- How to apply for an apprenticeship
If you’d like to know more about the apprenticeships we offer, just complete our enquiry form and a member of our apprenticeships team will contact you.
If you’re currently employed and your employer has agreed that you can complete an apprenticeship, or if you have an employer lined up ready for your apprenticeship, you can contact us on 0203 757 4000 to discuss your training needs.
You can also use the National Apprenticeship Service’s find an apprenticeship system to find and apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship. (You’ll need to register to use this service.)
More in Our Courses
Violeta
As time went by and my family started growing up, I decided to try and get a better job, so I came to Lewisham Southwark College. I saw that the college offered vocational courses, which meant I could improve my English and train for a job at the same time.
Elena Cebotari
The staff here have shown me how to get better and improve my work – and I’ve already started seeing a difference, even after only 2 months. We also get amazing professional work placements – like the Plague Event at the National Maritime Museum.
Jason Borley
If I were to give advice to others considering performing arts, I’d say be yourself, don’t worry about what others think. Being different makes you unique. Work hard and take every opportunity that comes your way and don’t stress out – enjoy your time learning and believe in yourself.
Rhys Gennery
My apprenticeship has so far helped me along my career path. It’s guided me into what I want to do in the future, and given me an insight into what I could be - or achieve - within the next five years.
Caldeen Benjamin Kusi-mensah
I chose to study at Lewisham Southwark College because it was the only College nearby that specialised in Performing Arts. The course included Drama, dancing and singing, all of which I was keen to pursue.
Indre Navickaite
One of the things the College has taught me is to set my goals much higher because you never know what you can achieve until you try. Once I have some experience, my plan is to set up my own theatre company and work with people from different cultures around the world.
Jack Grattan
I really enjoyed studying at the College due to the teaching, with the tutors having a wealth of experience and knowledge and a very approachable attitude. They just want to help students.
Sarah El-wahabi
Airlines aim to build professional and well groomed air crew so in order to pass these interviews you need to look like the part and sell yourself. One of the things I learned at College was how to stand out in these interviews.
Key information
We want to get you on a course and working towards your career as soon as possible. But there are some things you need to know...
