What Happens When an Apprenticeship Ends?

Your apprenticeship doesn't have to be the end of your learning

Once you've completed your apprenticeship, gained a qualification and built real workplace experience, you may be wondering what happens next.

An apprenticeship isn't necessarily the end of your learning. In many cases, it's the point where your career really starts to take shape.

There are several directions you could take, such as permanent employment, a higher apprenticeship, a further qualification or career progression.

1. Permanent employment

For some apprentices, the next step is staying with the employer. If you've done well and there's a suitable role available, your apprenticeship could lead into a permanent position.

This means you can continue building on everything you've learned while taking on more responsibility. You might move from supporting a team to managing your own projects, working with customers or specialising in a particular area. And because you've already been working there, you're not starting from scratch.

2. A higher apprenticeship

Finishing one apprenticeship doesn't mean you've finished learning. You may be able to progress to a higher-level apprenticeship and continue developing your skills and qualifications.

For example, you could move from an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship into a higher or degree apprenticeship, depending on your career and the qualifications you've already gained. This can allow you to keep earning while continuing your education.

3. A further qualification

Your apprenticeship may also be a stepping stone towards additional qualifications. Depending on your industry, that could include professional qualifications, technical certifications or further study. Some employers may support employees with this as part of their development. The right qualification will depend on where you want your career to go.

4. Career progression

Perhaps the biggest benefit of completing an apprenticeship is that you've already started building professional experience. You can use that experience to take on more responsibility and progress within your organisation or move to a new employer.

You might become:

• A specialist
• A team leader
• A project manager
• A supervisor
• A senior technician
• A qualified professional

The exact route will depend on your industry and your ambitions

The exact route will depend on your industry and your ambitions.

Your apprenticeship is a starting point

It's easy to think about an apprenticeship as something you complete and then move on from.

A different way to look at it is that you've spent your apprenticeship building skills, experience, qualifications and professional relationships. Those things don't disappear when the apprenticeship ends.

You don't have to know exactly what the next ten years look like.