COMING SOON: Understanding Apprenticeships 2ed
COMING SOON: Understanding Apprenticeships 2ed
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Please note: Orders containing Understanding Apprenticeships 2ed will not be shipped until publication on the 10th of August 2026.
A fully updated second edition of this trusted handbook, aimed at students and their advisers trying to determine whether an apprenticeship is the right choice. It explores the different types of apprenticeship available and how they compare to other routes.
Apprenticeships in the UK have continued to evolve, offering routes into an expanding range of sectors including digital, healthcare, finance and media. However, despite these developments, apprenticeship starts among young people have declined, highlighting the need to make the system more flexible, accessible and better understood.
Fully revised and updated, Understanding Apprenticeships continues to provide clear and practical guidance for students, parents and advisers exploring whether an apprenticeship is the right choice. It explains how to identify and apply for suitable programmes, what to expect from both work and study, and how to make the most of the experience. Through real case studies, it offers honest insights into both the opportunities and challenges of apprenticeship life.
Key updates in this edition include:
- Coverage of recent government reforms, including Foundation Apprenticeships, funding changes and updated End Point Assessments
- More flexible English and Maths requirements and the new Ofsted inspection framework
- Expanded information on apprenticeships in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
- Guidance on improving accessibility and supporting young people at the start of their careers
- Advice on using AI tools, plus updated apps, websites and resources
It is an authoritative and timely guide designed to help more young people access and succeed in apprenticeships.
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Key Reviews
'Ben has used his huge depth of experience to produce an essential read for anyone considering an apprenticeship, guiding you from interest through to successful application.'
John Yarham, Chief Executive, The Careers & Enterprise Company
‘This updated book from Ben Rowland is a great resource - with the increased interest in apprenticeships, this book will go a long way to helping students and their parents to work out whether this is an option to pursue, and how to go about getting one!’
Mark Yates, Careers Adviser
'This authoritative guide brings together the key expertise to unlock the full potential of apprenticeships.'
Shevaun Haviland CBE, Director General, British Chambers of Commerce
'Apprenticeships represent an important pathway option for young people. The opportunity to earn while you learn and to gain a deep experience of the workplace is an attractive proposition for many. But there is insufficient expert advice available to young people considering their options, and apprenticeships can seem a confusing and complicated step. This clear, insightful and knowledgeable publication is just what’s needed to help the reader feel more confident about making a well-informed choice when it really matters.'
Bill Watkin CBE,Chief Executive, Sixth Form Colleges Association
Reviews for the previous edition of Understanding Apprenticeships.
'Understanding Apprenticeships is comprehensive, authoritative and engaging; a must read for anyone exploring their post-school options.'
Lindsay Conroy, UCAS Apprenticeship National Programme Lead
'An essential and informative guide - if you want to know about apprenticeships, figure out how apprenticeships compare with other options or to help you go about finding and succeeding in an apprenticeship then this is a book for you.'
Simon Ashworth,Director of Policy, Association of Employment and Learning Providers
'Understanding Apprenticeships brings great insight for anyone considering whether an apprenticeship is for them. What it is, how it works, what it feels like to do one all jump off the page. A great resource for young people, adults, parents, advisers and employers.'
David Hughes CBE,Chief Executive, Association of Colleges
Sample Chapter
Coming soon
Gatsby Benchmarks
This book will help your school meet the following Gatsby Benchmarks:
- Benchmark 1: A stable careers
programme - Benchmark 2: Learning from careers and labour market
information - Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces
- Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher
education
Product Information
Published: 10 August 2026
Edition: 2nd
Length: 222 pages Dimensions: 23.4 x 1.56 cm
Meet the author: Ben Rowland
Ben Rowland is CEO of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), the sector body for Independent Training Providers. Ben also founded Arch Apprentices, a pioneering training provider that created ground-breaking new apprenticeships. He is a passionate advocate of vocational education and has advised a range of organisations on their learning and talent programmes.