Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland

With a range of popular programmes to choose from, including business, computer science and engineering, apprenticeships in Northern Ireland are available at all levels

Providing on-the-job training to those aged 16 and over, apprenticeships offer a defined pathway into your chosen career.

According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), there were 5,108 participants in the country's lower-level (Levels 2 and 3) apprenticeship programmes in 2022/23.

At the end of April 2024, there were 4,553 Level 2, 717 Level 2/3, and 5,163 Level 3 ApprenticeshipsNI participants, accounting for 10,433 apprentices.

Apprenticeship levels in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, apprenticeships are currently available at:

Level 2 - equivalent to five GCSE passes.
Level 3 - equivalent to two A-level passes.
Higher level apprenticeships (Levels 4-7) - equivalent to a higher national certificate (HNC), foundation degree or the first year of a university degree.

Each level typically takes two years to complete.

Read about apprenticeships in Northern Ireland at NI Direct - Apprenticeships.

You can also get more general information on apprenticeship levels and the pay rates for apprentices at what is an apprenticeship?

What's available

In Northern Ireland, there are around 150 apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3, with over 45 higher level apprenticeships to select from. They're available in a range of subjects to enter the country's priority industries, including:

accountancy
business services
computer science
construction
creative industries
financial services
food and drink manufacturing
health sciences
mechanical engineering
motor vehicles
retail.

Search for apprenticeships at NI Direct - Search for apprenticeship opportunities.

Entry requirements

To become an apprentice in Northern Ireland, you need to be:

aged at least 16
employed or be ready to take up a permanent, paid position in the country
working at least 21 hours per week
eligible to live and work in the country.

In addition, you shouldn't already have recognised vocational qualifications in this field.

Apprenticeship wage in Northern Ireland

As an apprentice, you'll receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age group.

For all those aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over and in their first year of a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship, the current wage (from April 2024) is 拢6.40.

This rate doesn't apply to those on higher level apprenticeships, as it is set according to the NMW for your age group.

Read more about what you're entitled to as an apprentice at NI Direct - The National Minimum Wage and Living Wage.

According to Indeed, the average salary for an apprentice in Northern Ireland is 拢20,492.

Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships

The government statistics revealed that NI apprenticeships at Level 2 and Level 3 accounted for 51% and 42% respectively of all lower-level apprenticeships in 2022/23.

The three most popular broad subjects were engineering, electrotechnical, and health and social care.

In terms of entry requirements, for Level 2 apprenticeships you'll need to demonstrate that you can complete the programme. At Level 3, employers may expect three or more GCSEs or some previous work experience. However, this will all depend on the requirements of the apprenticeship.

Higher level apprenticeships (HLAs)

According to the Apprenticeships in NI Fact Sheet 2021/22, which considered Department for Education (DfE) funded apprenticeships at Levels 2 to 7, 874 (11.5%) of the 7,608 apprenticeship starts were at Level 4 or above, with most at Level 5 (foundation degree standard).

It also showed that of the 11,642 apprentices on programmes in this academic year, 1,111 were studying at Levels 4-6 at a further education (FE) college, with 650 studying at Level 6 or 7 (widely known as degree apprenticeships) at a higher education (HE) institution.

Most of the latter were studying business and management (285), followed by computing (170), and engineering and technology (100).

Other popular HLA subjects include:

accountancy
healthcare
information and communications technology (ICT)
life sciences
professional services.

HLAs are best suited to those who have just completed their GCSEs or A-levels and are considering their next steps.

To be eligible, you'll typically need:

five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A-C)
Level 3 qualifications, such as three A-levels or a BTEC National diploma.

Employers may also expect apprentices to have studied qualifications in related subjects - for example, maths, plus a science-based subject, business or IT, is often required if you're looking to do a computer science apprenticeship.

Which employers offer HLA programmes?

Major NI employers running HLA schemes include:

While many apprenticeships are based in Belfast, you'll also find opportunities in cities and towns such as Craigavon, Dungiven and Rathfriland.

HLAs are typically offered in partnership with local educational establishments such as:

Read more about HLA programmes at NI Direct - Higher Level Apprenticeships.

Find out more

Explore how to apply for an apprenticeship.
Consider should I go to university or do an apprenticeship?
Get the lowdown on apprenticeships in Scotland and Wales.