Business apprenticeships

Opening doors to careers in business, administration, consulting and management, a business apprenticeship allows you to learn while you earn, developing the skills you'll need to take on a leadership role

What is a business apprenticeship?

The vast UK business sector comprises large and small private companies, with business apprenticeships focused on helping these organisations run effectively and profitably.

Business apprenticeships can encompass a range of functions - from accounting, customer service and legal to IT, HR and marketing.

As an apprentice, you'll work for a company, receive on-the-job training, and study to achieve an industry-recognised qualification. You'll be paid a full-time wage and will complete the programme free from debt, as your employer and the government cover all study and training costs.

Apprenticeships usually take one to four years to complete, depending on the type and level of the programme.

To learn more about how these programmes work, see our essential guide to apprenticeships.

What are the different levels for a business apprenticeship?

Business and management-related schemes start at the intermediate level (Level 2 - comparable to GCSEs), but most are set at an advanced level (Level 3 - equivalent to A-levels) or above.

You can progress to higher (Levels 4 and 5 - comparable to a foundation degree) before reaching degree apprenticeship level (Levels 6 and 7 - equivalent to a Bachelors or Masters degree).

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) provides details of the standards for business apprenticeships:

Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship
Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship
Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship.

What areas do business apprenticeships cover?

business administration
business analysis
business and IT - see IT apprenticeships.
business development
consultancy
management
leadership
project management
risk.

Business administrators, advisers, developers, managers and consultants are needed in almost all sectors, including:

Who are they aimed at?

Apprenticeships are an alternative to university, so they are traditionally for school leavers or career changers, but almost anyone can apply as long as they meet the required criteria.

To be eligible for business apprenticeships, you need to be:

16 or over
eligible to work in England
not in full-time education.

You're unlikely to need prior work experience for the lower-level apprenticeships, but you'll still need a certain number of GCSEs (or equivalent).

For instance, Aldi's three-year Store Management Apprenticeship, which involves achieving the Level 2 Retailer and Level 3 Retail Team Leader, expects GCSE maths and English at grades 4-9.

Apprenticeships at Levels 4 to 7 are targeted towards those with A-levels or who've already completed a lower-level apprenticeship.

Unilever's four-year Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship requires GCSE English language and maths at grade 4 or above and two A-levels (or equivalent). On the other hand, Lloyd's asks for three A-levels at grade C or above for its 39-month Business Degree Apprenticeship.

Be aware that if you already have a degree, you won't be able to apply for a degree apprenticeship.

Consider should I go to university or do an apprenticeship?

Which firms offer business apprenticeships?

Aldi - Store Management Apprenticeship.
Amazon - Business Administrator, Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship, Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Apprenticeship, Product Manager Apprenticeship and the Project Management Apprenticeship.
Aon - Commercial Risk and Reinsurance Apprenticeship and the Client Management Apprenticeship.
AstraZeneca - Business Administration Apprenticeship and the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship.
Babcock - Business Administration Apprenticeship and the Project Management Degree Apprenticeship.
British Airways (BA) - Business Professional Apprenticeship and the Aspiring Leader Degree Apprenticeship.
EY - Business Leadership and Management Practice Degree Apprenticeship and the Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy (TRS) Degree Apprenticeship.
JCB - Business Degree Apprenticeship.
KPMG - Business Services Apprenticeship, the Consulting Apprenticeship and the Consulting Managed Services Apprenticeship.
Lloyd's - Business Degree Apprenticeship.
National Health Service (NHS) - Business Administration Apprenticeship. Read about nursing apprenticeships.
Pinsent Masons - Marketing and Business Development Apprenticeship.
Siemens - Business Administration Apprenticeship.
Transport for London (TfL) - General Management Degree Apprenticeship and the Sustainability Degree Apprenticeship.
Unilever - Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship.

In addition to exploring the websites of the most popular employers, research small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that interest you to see if they offer business management apprenticeships. Discover what it's like working for a small business.

What do business apprenticeships involve?

As a business apprentice, your day-to-day working hours will vary, but on average you can expect to work around 30 hours a week.

To complete the training or study element of your apprenticeship, you may be allocated one day per week to attend college or university or scheduled study blocks of a week or more.

Assessment methods include:

essays
coursework
presentations
written exams.

Many schemes come under the umbrella term 'business apprenticeship', so you could be involved in various activities.

Business administration apprenticeships

Candidates train for important support roles within an organisation. You may be expected to:

type up meeting documents
fax and photocopy confidential files
compile financial data in spreadsheets.

With an intermediate business administration apprenticeship, you can train as a:

business support officer
office junior
receptionist.

Advanced apprenticeships equip you for working as a:

legal secretary
personal assistant
secretary.

Higher apprenticeships lead to office manager or business development executive roles.

To give you an idea of what to expect, Babcock's two-year SCQF Level 6 Business Administration Apprenticeship at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland allows you to play a key role in its daily business operations.

The apprenticeship involves a range of tasks, including:

providing support across multiple departments
developing customer service skills
managing people's diaries
coordinating events.

Business development apprenticeships

These programmes teach you how to think creatively to improve the success of an organisation.

For instance, on Pinsent Masons' Marketing and Business Development Apprenticeship, you'll support the firm's business growth by conducting basic research to identify new business opportunities, market trends, and potential clients. The programme leads to the Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer qualification.

Other responsibilities for those involved with business development may include:

helping a team implement their ideas
managing a business portfolio and client relationships
planning marketing campaigns and social media activities.

With a higher apprenticeship, you could train as a business development manager or project manager.

Leadership apprenticeships

This apprenticeship is designed for those primarily interested in strategic leadership who will be involved in assessing their businesses' long-term performance and sustainability.

The programme will help build your confidence in making informed decisions as you:

undertake research
set budgets based on business performance
develop your organisation's communications strategy.

At the senior leadership level (Level 7), you'll already be working in or moving into a senior management role, such as:

general manager
senior manager
section leader
executive
director
or CEO.

Many leadership programmes set you on a path towards achieving professional qualifications with a recognised industry body. The three-year Business Leadership and Management Practice Degree Apprenticeship at EY allows you to gain chartered management status with the CMI.

Working for financial services companies across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA), you'll be involved with a range of projects, helping clients assess, transform and monitor their risks and controls in areas such as:

anti-money laundering
cyber security
suitability of financial advice.

Management apprenticeships

These apprenticeships equip you with a range of transferable skills. On a day-to-day basis, you may be tasked with:

briefing teams
resolving problems
sourcing supplies
monitoring work
agreeing on budgets
managing conflict
planning and implementing change.

At the intermediate level, you could train to become a:

floor manager
team leader
trainee supervisor.

With an advanced management apprenticeship, you could become an:

assistant manager
first-line manager
section manager.

Higher apprenticeships lead to careers such as:

senior manager
head of department
or director.

For example, on the Aldi Store Management Apprenticeship, you'll get to:

understand stock levels
order products and merchandise
plan for key events
complete office admin tasks such as paperwork and cash handling.

Over the first 13 to 16 months, you'll work towards your Level 3 Retail Management qualification. By the third year, you'll have progressed to deputy manager and may even get the opportunity to become assistant store manager.

How do I become a business apprentice?

Be aware that some companies recruit apprentices at a specific time of year while others take them on all year round. For example, BMW Group's recruitment cycle runs from October to March.

Although methods may vary, most applications are made online by completing an application form.

Apply for apprenticeships as you would for a job. Thoroughly research the company you're interested in and ensure your CV is up to date. You'll need to tailor your application to fit the role by including evidence of relevant experience and examples of when you've demonstrated the required competencies.

For business roles, you could provide examples of when you've led a group - perhaps as the captain of a sports team or dealing with members of the public through a part-time job. For inspiration, see our example apprenticeship cover letter.

Some organisations may ask you to take situational judgement, numerical and psychometric tests as part of their initial recruitment process.

You may then need to attend an assessment centre or undergo telephone or video interviews before reaching the final interview stage.

Get the lowdown on how to apply for an apprenticeship.

How much will I be paid?

All apprentices are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW). For apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over in their first year, the NMW rate stands at £7.55 per hour (from April 2025).

If you are over 19 and have completed your first year, you must be paid at least the minimum wage rate for your age.

You will be paid for your regular working hours and any training in your apprenticeship.

In addition to employee benefits such as discounted travel, you'll get at least 20 days of paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays.

Read more about pay and conditions at GOV.UK - Become an apprentice.

As employers set salaries, you're likely to be paid significantly more than the NMW, especially if undertaking a higher or degree apprenticeship.

Business degree apprenticeship salaries

Aldi - £13,468 to £19,864 for its Store Management Apprenticeship.
BA - £26,938 for its Aspiring Leader Degree Apprenticeship.
Babcock - £19,120 to £21,550 for its Business Administration Apprenticeship.
JCB - £18,000 for its Business Degree Apprenticeship.
KPMG - £23,000 to £25,000.
Lloyd's - £25,250 for its Business Degree Apprenticeship.
NHS - £23,615 for its Business Administration Apprenticeship.
Pinsent Masons - £25,250 for its Marketing and Business Development Apprenticeship.
TfL - £29,281 for its General Management Degree Apprenticeship.
Unilever - £22,216 for its Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship.

In 2025, employers typically pay business apprentices £18,000 to £25,000, although salaries can go as high as £30,000.

Find out more

Read about consulting graduate schemes.
Explore management courses.
Get an overview of the UK's business sector.