Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a route into numerous professions which provides individuals the opportunity to combine working in a relevant field with studying for a formal qualification. There are four different levels of apprenticeships in England:

• Foundation- equivalent to a Level 2 qualification, these combine technical knowledge and skills with workplace learning, helping people (usually between the ages of 16-21) to decide their next career steps. These can be done in a minimum of eight months;
• Advanced - equivalent to two A-level passes (equivalent to a Level 3 qualification);
• Higher - equivalent to the first stages of higher education such as a HNC or Foundation degree (equivalent to a Level 4/Level 5 qualification);
• Degree – available at Honours and Masters degree level (Level 6 and 7). 

Due to the vocational nature of the built environment and the Architectural Technology profession, apprenticeships are a valuable way of gaining relevant work experience as well as the necessary underpinning knowledge to become a valued, competent professional.

This following section relates to the scheme currently offered across England and predominantly focuses on Higher and Degree apprenticeships, although more can be developed at a later date depending on industry need.

To be classed as a apprenticeship scheme, a minimum of 10 employers must come together to create apprenticeship standards for a specific occupation or job role within that industry.

This scheme differs to previous ones in that it is not restricted by age. Therefore, a company may decide to upskill its existing workforce or hire new apprentices to address the skills gap, grow talent and in turn the business. There are also financial incentives for companies that choose to invest in apprentices. See more in the Funding section below.

For apprentices enrolled on this scheme, they will work alongside experienced staff, gaining job-specific skills that employers need all while earning a wage, an education and time allocated to study.

To date, CIAT has formally supported the development of the following apprenticeships:

Digital Engineering Technician apprenticeship which is a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship. This recognition means that upon completing the apprenticeship, individuals would be eligible to apply for Affiliate status.

A current list of approved training providers can be found here.

Construction Design and Build Technician is a Level 4 higher apprenticeship. Upon completing this, individuals would be eligible to apply for Associate membership.   

A current list of approved training providers can be found here.

Design and Construction Management is a level 6 degree apprenticeship. Upon completion, individuals would be able to apply for Associate membership and use evidence from their apprenticeship as part of their Professional Assessment application should they wish to qualify as Chartered Architectural Technologists afterwards.

A current list of approved training providers can be found here.

Apprentices enrolled onto these are eligible for free CIAT student membership for the duration of their apprenticeship.

CIAT welcomes and supports the development of apprenticeships which would allow anyone - irrespective of age - interested in progressing within the profession of Architectural Technology to gain the relevant knowledge and experience required in industry, and which would allow candidates to gain Associate, Affiliate or Chartered status with the Institute.  

Professional bodies can offer support for apprenticeships by offering feedback on apprenticeship standards where appropriate, and by providing subsequent professional qualifications. We are not able to develop apprenticeships ourselves - this is the role of employers and academic institutions.

Due to the launch of the new framework for apprenticeships in England, educational providers are subject to thorough checks and additional procedures, such as lengthy application forms, in order to be deemed a legitimate apprenticeship training provider. This may be why so few providers are aware of all the standards and associated qualifications which support these.

We are currently looking into ways to better promote apprenticeship routes and opportunities to our members and educational establishments.

There are a few ways in which employers can access funding to support apprentices within their organisation. These include:

Skills and Growth Levy

The Growth and Skills Levy came into effect in April 2026 and replaced the Apprenticeship Levy, which had been in place since April 2017. All employers in the UK with an annual staff payroll of above £3million will have to contribute into this levy.

The Growth and Skills Levy allows for flexibility on how funds can be used, such as for shorter training modules rather than only on apprenticeships. The goal of this Levy is to make the system more responsive to employer needs and more accessible for micro and SMEs.

For more information about the Levy please click here.

Employers who pay the Growth and Skills Levy

Employers access government funding for apprenticeships through their apprenticeship service account. The amount of funding that an employer paying the levy can access is linked to:

• the value of their levy contributions
• the proportion of employees living in England
• a government top-up

The government calculates the amount of funds each employer will have available to spend in England using data that HMRC holds about the home address of employees. HMRC works out the proportion of each employer’s pay bill that is paid to employees living in England for each PAYE scheme.

Employers continue to receive a 10% top up to monthly funds entering an account. The level of funding that enters an employer’s account each month is:

• monthly levy paid to HMRC
• multiplied by the proportion of the pay bill paid to the workforce living in England
• plus a 10% government top-up on this amount

When an employer first sets up an account on the apprenticeship service, funds will enter their account immediately. These funds are based on the employer’s valid levy declarations to HMRC to date, up to a maximum of 2 years in arrears. After this, funds will enter accounts monthly.

Co-funding investment (for employers that do not pay the Growth and Skills Levy)

Employers that do not pay into the Levy will share the cost of training and assessing their apprentices with the Government by contributing 5% of the cost (up to the funding band maximum), with the Government paying the remaining 95%.

16-18 year old apprentices

Employers that do not pay into the Levy, but offer apprenticeships to 16-18 year olds receive 100% of the cost of training from the Government. If the company has less than 50 employees, they will receive a £1,000 incentive towards apprenticeships.

Please click the following links for information about apprenticeships in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

These are qualifications valued by employers and recognised by all Scottish educational establishments. They take two years to complete as a Foundation Apprenticeship (FA) can be chosen as a subject in Stage 5 (taking two years to complete) or 6 (taking one year to complete) and is at the same level as a Higher. FAs are available in 12 subjects including civil engineering, software development and financial services. They are linked to growth sectors of the Scottish economy, allowing learners to gain industry experience and skills by spending one day a week with a company to enhance their CV.

FA’s support pupils to build the skills they will need to be successful by gaining valuable, real-world work experience and access work-based learning while they’re still at school.

For young people, it offers the chance to get a head start on their careers by gaining an industry-recognised qualification, work on real projects and broaden their career options when they leave school.

And for employers, it offers the chance to attract highly motivated and committed young people who are willing to learn, while ensuring the organisation has people with the skills it needs.

The costs of delivering the framework are covered directly through regional colleges and learning providers, with no financial cost to the pupil or the school.

Modern Apprenticeships (MA) help employers develop their workforce by training new staff and upskilling existing employees to develop skills and expertise for their current and future jobs. An MA is a way for an apprentice to earn a wage and gain an industry-recognised qualification.

There are over 80 Modern Apprenticeship frameworks – from healthcare and financial services to construction and IT. These have been developed by sector skills councils, in consultation with their industry.

MA’s are jointly funded by the employer and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). SDS makes a financial contribution toward the off-the-job training and assessment costs, which is paid directly to the approved learning provider. The employer is responsible for the apprentice’s salary and covering any remaining training costs that exceed the SDS contribution amount.

A Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) builds skills and knowledge that Scottish industries need. These have been designed for and by industry. Those interested in the built environment are able to pursue a Level 10 Scottish Qualification Credits Framework (SCQF) Construction and Built Environment framework.

Apprentices will be employed, earn a wage and achieve an Honours degree.

Most of the apprentices’ time will be spent learning on the job, however they will be enrolled on a higher education programme.

Anyone over the age of 16 can apply for a GA. However, due to the nature of certain vacancies (and health and safety requirements), the age limit to apply may be 18 and over. Individuals changing their careers are also eligible for a GA.

Those already in employment can complete a GA as an existing employee if the job role relates to the apprenticeship framework. This option can be discussed with the employer.

GA’s are fully funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and/or the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). The full duration of tuition fees for the apprentice is covered by the Government. Neither the apprentice nor their employer pay tuition fees, though the employer is required to pay the apprentice a wage for the duration of the programme.

For more information, please refer to the Scottish Government website as well as Skills Development Scotland.