Use the links below to find the information you need:
Advice and support on applying for jobs
Help with the cost of your apprenticeship
Current job and apprenticeship vacancies
Free qualifications for adults aged 19 and over
Young Solutions offer free support to people aged between 16-24
Advice and support applying for jobs
If you are looking for work then there are many different organisations offering help and support.
The Skills for Worcestershire website has lots of information on it from CV writing to interview technique.
Support on training and finding work is also available from the National Careers Service.
If you are on Universal Credit you can get access to support from your work coach or Job Centre Plus staff.
If you are unemployed and would benefit from one-to-one support then you can get help from specialist job coaches through the Building Better Opportunities scheme.
You can search for current job and apprenticeship vacancies further down this page.
Be Your Own Boss Programme delivered by Malvern Business Academy (Peter Jones Enterprise Academy)
This is a programme aimed at young people, aged 19 – 24, who have faced challenges resulting in them being unable to gain educational qualifications. The initiative will lead to participants gaining BTEC 2 Certificate in Understanding Enterprise and Entrepreneurship. Past participants have gone on to gain further qualifications and full-time work. This is a free programme with no entry requirements: Malvern Business Academy - 26 Steps
The Help Centre at Malvern Town Football Club
Every week on Thursdays 10am – 12pm. Help with using computers, searching for work online and writing and uploading CVs is available with Digital Champion.
Find advice on staying motivated in the job hunt on LinkedIn.
Apprenticeships
Anyone from 16 to 116 can start an apprenticeship.
There are many benefits to choosing an apprenticeship. It is a good way to get into work and gain a qualification at the same time. You will also earn money while you are learning so you can avoid getting into university debt.
Apprenticeships are available in lots of different sectors, from agriculture and construction to law, engineering or media.
- Find out more by visiting the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website.
- You can also watch the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Apprenticeship Q&A webinar
- Watch our webinars on degree apprenticeships and opportunities in the construction industry.
Worcestershire Apprenticeships have launched their new support system for those seeking apprenticeships. Users are able to complete an online submission form about the type of apprenticeship they are interested in. This information can then be shared with the relevant local training providers, who in turn will contact the individual to support them to become an apprentice.
Levels of apprenticeship
There are four different levels of apprenticeship.
- Level 2 Intermediate - equivalent to five good GCSE passes.
- Level 3 Advanced - equivalent to two A-level passes.
- Level 4 Higher - equivalent to the first stages of higher education, such as a foundation degree.
- Level 5/7 Degree - comparable to a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
Pay for apprentices
There are different rates of pay for apprentices depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in.
In the first year of your apprenticeship you will receive at least £4.81 per hour (rising to £5.28 April 2023). If you are older than 19 this will go up to the national minimum wage from your second year.
Many apprenticeships will pay more than the minimum. For example in our district in June 2021 a Level 3 engineering apprentice would typically be paid £10 an hour and in 2020 a Level 4 IT apprentice £16,000 a year.
You will also be entitled to sick pay, any additional benefits your employer offers to its other employees, such as healthcare plans and childcare vouchers, and at least 20 days of paid holiday a year.
Apprenticeship case studies
If you still need convincing that apprenticeships could be worth considering, then watch the videos below to hear what apprentices themselves are saying.
- Software apprentices at Payara in Malvern discuss why they chose an apprenticeship over university
- Apprentices at Michelin star restaurant Pensons, on the Netherwood Estate, talk about how it is benefitting their career
- DeltaXML talk about the benefits of apprentices to their business
You can also read about the experience of apprentices elsewhere in the country from the Not going to uni website.
- Mya Hartnett describes her first year as a translational medicine apprentice in oncology at AstraZeneca
- Chloe Wilson, Customer Engagement Manager with Sky, describes starting out as a Customer Contact apprentice
- Emi Putnam, talks about life as an historic environment advice assistant apprentice, helping preserve historic construction skills
Claim help with the cost of your apprenticeship
Apprentice Bursary 2023
The council recognises that trainees may struggle to cover the cost of travel or equipment to access their work or training and that this may prevent them from applying for certain jobs.
An Upskilling Bursary Scheme has therefore been agreed to support trainees where they are earning less than £220 per week and are Malvern Hills residents.
£500 is available to help cover the cost of travel, equipment, tools and clothing necessary to access training. For those interested in using active travel methods (walking/cycling) for their commute to work this may be put towards the cost of equipment such as purchase of a bicycle or e-bike. These bursaries will be administered via Worcestershire Apprenticeships on behalf of MHDC.
Bursary Qualifying Criteria
The applicant must:
- Live in Malvern Hills District.
- Earn less than £220 per week (Before deductions)
- Attend a qualifying course and be employed for 12 months or however long it takes to complete the course (whichever is longer)
- Be completing Ofqual registered training or approved Apprenticeship Standard Framework which leads to a nationally recognised qualification.
- Be employed for more than 30 hours per week.
Apply for the Apprentice Bursary.
Worcestershire Apprenticeships Bursary
If you secure an apprenticeship through your Worcestershire Apprenticeships account you will be eligible to claim an incentive payment of up to £250 as well as expenses to help with things like travel and uniform costs. Find out more information about the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Bursary on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website.
Prince’s Trust Development Awards: Small Grants for Young People Aged 16 – 30
The Prince’s Trust Development Awards programme provides small grants for young people aged 16 - 30 to help them access education, training and employment. They can offer £150, which you do not have to pay back. And up to around £500.
View our grants and funding page for more information about the Awards or contact Sarbjit Bentley:
Current job and apprenticeship vacancies
Visit our local job opportunities page to search for job vacancies in this area.
Search Worcestershire Apprentices for the latest list of apprenticeship vacancies in our area.
You can also find apprenticeship vacancies elsewhere in England by using the national find an apprenticeship search.
There are plenty of opportunities for Higher and Degree level apprenticeships. Take a look at this up to date list of vacancies from amazingapprenticeships.com.
Traineeships
Traineeships help get you ready for work or an apprenticeship. A traineeship is 70 hours long and can last from 6 weeks up to 1 year, though most traineeships last for less than 6 months. They can help develop your English, maths and digital skills.
While you won’t get paid for a traineeship, you might be given expenses for travel and food.
A traineeship can give you 70 hours work experience, give you the skills you need to get your apprenticeship, help you with your CV, and give you some feedback from an employer. You will not have an employment contract as it is not a job.
To find out more about traineeships in our area contact Whitehead Ross on 07404 895438 or e-mail
You can also search for other training providers on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website.
Free qualifications for adults 19 and over
If you are aged 19 and over and do not already have a Level 3 qualification, equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma or A levels, you can study for a free qualification.
Qualifications are available in the following sectors:
- accounting and finance
- agriculture
- building and construction
- business management
- childcare and early years
- digital
- engineering
- environmental conservation
- health and social care
- horticulture and forestry
- manufacturing technologies
- mathematics and statistics
- medicine and dentistry
- public services
- science
- teaching and lecturing
- transportation operations and maintenance
- warehousing and distribution
Some of these qualifications are available to study online or part-time. In some instances, you may need to meet admissions criteria for the course you chose to apply for. For example, you may need to have studied a particular subject before at a lower level.
To apply you will need to contact the college you wish to study at.
Find a local college offering free courses for people aged 19 and over.
Read more about free courses for adults aged 19 and over and how to apply.