For learners

Apprenticeships For Learners at Plumpton College

If you are exploring apprenticeships, Plumpton College is one of the UK’s leading providers of land, environment and food production apprenticeships, rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED.

Whether you are starting your career, developing new skills or progressing in your current role, our apprenticeships can help you build the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in your chosen profession.

What is an Apprenticeship?
Plumpton College Talent Bank
Functional Skills
Apprenticeship FAQs
Departments that Offer Apprenticeships

Veterinary Nurse

Apprenticeships

Level 3
Horticulture Supervisor

Apprenticeships

Level 3
Level 3 Land Based Service Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships

Level 3
Land-Based Service Engineer

Apprenticeships

Level 2
Golf Greenkeeper

Apprenticeships

Level 2

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a full time job that combines hands on work with the opportunity to develop your skills, knowledge and behaviours in your chosen profession. You’ll gain industry-specific training whilst studying for a qualification at the same time as earning a wage, making it a great way to start a profession and kickstart your career.

At least 20% of your contracted employment hours over the duration of your apprenticeship will be spent in training and development. This is either with us at college, online or in your workplace. The rest of your time will be spent applying your learning in the workplace, doing the job you have been employed (and paid) to do.

Learn more

Functional Skills

Functional Skills are the essential Maths and English skills that students require in the workplace and in real-life, practical situations. Functional Skills are nationally recognised qualifications. They offer a tailored way to meet entry and completion requirements for apprenticeships. Level 1 and level 2 qualifications are offered to all apprentices. However, these qualifications start from Entry 1 – Level 2.

Functional Skills qualifications are required for all apprentices aged 18 and under who have not achieved an equivalent to a Grade 4/C in GCSE or other equivalent English and Maths qualifications.

Initial Assessment

All apprentices are required to complete an initial assessment for English and Maths prior to enrolment on an apprenticeship.

This initial assessment gives us an indication of the level the apprentices are currently working at. This helps us to identify if their skills will allow them to achieve their apprenticeship.

Awarding Body

The current awarding body for both qualifications is Pearson Edexcel. Further information about both qualifications can be found on their website.

Apprenticeship Frequently Asked Questions

There are a number of different ways you can find an apprenticeship to suit your career aspirations. Finding one can be the same as finding a normal job; it’s important to make sure that you give yourself the best possible chance to be successful in your search.

Browse our current apprenticeship opportunities
- We work with a large number of employers who recruit apprentices throughout the year. Visit our apprenticeship vacancy page to see our current list of live vacancies and apply.
Register with our apprenticeship talent bank
- At Plumpton College, we are committed to supporting you in reaching your career goals. If you can’t find the apprenticeship opportunity you’re looking for, register with our Talent Bank. We will keep you informed about new vacancies and add you to our apprenticeship newsletter mailing list. This contains helpful hints and tips and information about forthcoming events you may be interested.
Browse the GOV.UK apprenticeship vacancy website
- Another way to find and apply for an apprenticeship is to register and search current vacancies on the government Find an Apprenticeship website. This site allows you to search and apply for live vacancies available in different industries, locations or levels.
Search Company Websites
- You may already have a particular company in mind – it’s worth taking a look at their website or social media feeds to find out if they are offering an apprenticeship scheme. You’ll usually find this kind of information on the vacancies page on their website.
Contacting Employers Directly
- If you can’t find any information online, don’t give up; try phoning the company and asking if they would consider supporting an apprenticeship. This approach might seem a little scary or be more work than looking through listed vacancies. However, many businesses will welcome the direct approach and the initiative you’re showing by getting in touch them personally.
Already employed?
- Does your employer know you’re interested in doing an apprenticeship? The first thing we suggest would be having initial conversation. The majority of employers are happy to support their employees professional development, particularly if it benefits their business. We would then need to speak with your employer to ensure that they are aware of their obligations in supporting you on an apprenticeship programme.
- Our apprenticeship team are available to go through everything your employer needs to know. Please call (01273) 892127 or email business@plumpton.ac.uk.

Yes! As an apprentice, you’ll usually be employed to work a minimum of 30 hours per week and be paid a wage no less than the current national minimum wage for the time you are in work and in off-the-job training.

The amount you are paid is based on a number of factors, including your previous experience and current skill set. In some job roles, your wage may increase as you progress and take on more responsibility. Furthermore, you will receive the same benefits as any employee, including a holiday pay.

The hours you work will be set by your employer. Most employers hire apprentices for around 40 hours per week. The maximum amount of hours for an apprentice aged over 18 is 48 hours.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone who is 16 years old and over, have a right to work in England and are not in full time education. Correspondingly, There is no upper age limit and available to anyone whether starting out on their career or for those who have been working for some time.

This is important to remember when applying for an apprenticeship vacancy. You can be in competition with anyone, so make sure your CV or application is up to date and well presented.

Modern apprenticeships can now support your learning aspirations to the highest level. However, it is important to know that the level is based on the job role and duties it is attached to. Therefore, even though you may have a higher-level qualifications in other subjects, you could still undertake an apprenticeship at a lower level.

Apprenticeship levels are set and equivalent to:

2 (Intermediate): GCSEs
3 (Advanced): A-levels
4 (Higher): foundation degree
5 (Higher): foundation degree/first year of bachelor’s degree
6 (Degree): bachelor’s degree
7 (Degree): master’s degree

English and maths are essential in supporting your longer-term career prospects. If you are aged 18 and under and do not already have one, you will be required to achieve a maths and English qualification as part of your apprenticeship. Importantly, there is no need to worry. Our specialist maths and English tutors will provide you with support and learning throughout your apprenticeship programme.

Please note: If you are aged 19 and over, you will not be required to achieve maths and English.

Once your apprenticeship’s practical training is completed, an independent assessment (not undertaken by Plumpton College) will take place. This is called an ‘end-point assessment’, or EPA for short.

The EPA is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are genuinely competent in your occupation. It allows you to showcase what you have learnt throughout your apprenticeship. Moreover, each apprenticeship programme has a slightly different assessment approach. Despite this, all EPAs assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours you have developed during your apprenticeship.