Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are not just for young people or for those learning a trade. They cover most, if not all, industry sectors and are available to people of all ages.

Apprenticeships are available at different levels, from entry level right through to senior technical, professional and management positions. Some of our advanced and higher level apprenticeships are recognised by professional bodies such as the Association of Accounting Technicians and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Over the years, Damar has worked with thousands of people, helping them:

Get jobs with good employers
Improve their skills
Achieve nationally recognised qualifications
Develop their careers

If you are looking to develop your skills, achieve a qualification and earn a salary at the same time, an apprenticeship with Damar may be right for you.

An apprenticeship will develop your confidence and competence. It shows that you have achieved a nationally recognised standard for your area of work. It also shows your employer that you are committed to your job and that you want to develop your skills.

For information on whether an apprenticeship is right for you, browse the website and have a look at some of the vacancies we have currently and read case studies from our apprentices. For more advice and guidance, please call one of our experienced recruitment team members on 0161 480 8171 or click on the register button to fill in your details and we will call you. If you are a parent or carer, you can find more information in our Parent Guide.

Apprenticeships are not an easy option – they require commitment both in work and outside work. This is why they are so well regarded by employers and, increasingly, by universities. This is also why apprentices have been proven, over time, to earn more than people who do not have apprenticeships or other similar qualifications.

Apprenticeship Stages

Apprenticeship standards always take at least a year to complete and have three distinct stages:

Teaching and learning – You work with your Damar coach and your employer to develop knowledge, skills and behaviours;
The gateway – The point at which the employer, Damar and the apprentice come together to agree that the apprentice is ready for the external end-point assessment;
End-point assessment – You demonstrate your knowledge, skills and behaviours to an external assessor. Your end-point assessment could include a test, interview and/or portfolio presentation.

English and Maths

As part of your apprenticeship, you may need to take functional skills in English and maths.

Delivery

The delivery method varies according to the needs of the apprentice, the employer and the qualification. We use a model which combines 1:1 visits and group coaching sessions with the Damar coach and subject specialist tutors, with online learning, webinars and e-tutorials delivered via our virtual learning environment, Damar OpenLearning. This gives apprentices access to more specialist teaching content and the flexibility to access learning materials at times that suit them and the employer. Most apprentices need to spend at least six hours per week (on average) on their studies.

Progression

For many apprentices, the apprenticeship is a stepping stone towards additional responsibility at work or, for some, further qualifications including university. As well as celebrating achievement, we always discuss progression with apprentices and their employers to ensure that the benefits of the apprenticeship are maximised.

“I think the way Damar set out the apprenticeship was very streamlined, user-friendly and compact, resulting in the apprenticeship being easy to follow. It enabled me to have a good balance of apprenticeship work, as well as the main work I was doing for Peak Translations, which was important, not only for me, but the business itself.”

Charlie Blood
Businesss Admin Apprentice

The Damar Difference

There are many providers and colleges across England which provide apprenticeships. So what is different about Damar Training?

We offer flexible training which can fit around your day to day role
We can match you to the most relevant coaches and subject specialists, regardless of where you are based
We empower you to feel accountable for your own learning goals and journey, setting you up for lifelong career development
We provide regular interaction, breaking down the apprenticeship into manageable chunks of learning
We provide specialist support for apprentices preparing for their end-point assessment
Our group workshops and discussion forums allow you to interact, engage and learn from other apprentices within different businesses across England