What Is an Apprenticeship? Essex Apprenticeship Hub

Your first step towards understanding apprenticeships, from the people who know them best

The Essex Apprenticeship Hub is back with a free online session built for anyone still weighing up their options after school or college.

Deciding what comes next after school or college is a big decision, and apprenticeships don’t always get explained properly along the way. This session exists to change that. Join us for a relaxed, no pressure look at what apprenticeships actually are and how they work, hosted by Essex County Council’s Apprenticeship Hub in partnership with Pathway CTM. Whether you’ve never looked into apprenticeships before or you just want a clearer picture before making any decisions, this session breaks it all down in plain English, with no jargon and no pressure to commit to anything on the spot.

Over the course of the session, you’ll hear about the different apprenticeship levels and qualifications on offer, from entry level right up to degree apprenticeships, and how earning while you learn actually works day to day, including what a typical week might look like. We’ll explain why so many young people are now choosing this route over the more traditional university path, and what that means for their career prospects further down the line.

We’ll also spend time busting some of the most common myths around apprenticeships. Yes, they can lead to real, well paid careers, not just entry level jobs, and no, choosing one doesn’t close any doors. You’ll leave knowing exactly where to start looking for opportunities near you and what to expect from the application process.

There’ll be a live Q&A at the end, so bring your questions, whatever they are and however basic they might feel. Parents and carers are just as welcome as students, and this is a genuinely useful one to sit in on together.

What’s covered: We’ll start with a warm welcome and introductions, then move straight into the basics: what an apprenticeship actually is and how one works day to day. From there we’ll look at the different apprenticeship levels and qualifications on offer, and explain how earning while you learn fits together in practice. We’ll then talk through why so many young people are choosing this route, before busting some of the most common myths along the way. To finish, we’ll show you how to find apprenticeship opportunities near you, share our top application tips, and open the floor for a live Q&A and next steps.

Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026
Time: 6:15-7pm
Location: Online

About Essex Apprenticeship Hub: Run by Essex County Council, the hub supports school leavers and local businesses across Essex, connecting students with advisors for CV and job search help, live vacancies, and interview prep.