Young boy with Barnardo's worker both smiling and looking at a folder

Barnardo's apprenticeships

Our apprenticeship programmes give you the skills needed in the world of work.

We offer apprenticeship programmes that range from beauty therapy and customer service, to retail and early years education. 

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a real job that gives you the chance to train will you work. 

As an apprentice you will: earn a wage and get holiday pay, work alongside experienced staff, gain job-specific skills, be given time for study related to their role (the equivalent of one day a week). 

Why do an apprenticeship?

  • You will earn a real wage
  • You will have the skills that employers want
  • You will set yourself up for the future – apprentices enjoy strong salary increases when they complete their training, and those completing a higher apprenticeship could see increased earnings of an estimated £150,000 over their lifetime!*

*(University education – Is this the best route into employment? AAT and CEBR Feb 2013)

What we offer

We offer 19 different apprenticeships in: Beauty Therapy, Business Administration, Customer Service, Hairdressing, Facilities Management, Performance and Development, Retail, Team Leading, Warehouse operations, Children & Young Peoples Workforce Development, Early Years Education. 

Qualifications you’ll earn

The range of qualifications you can earn through our apprenticeships range from a level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), a level 3 (equivalent to 2 ‘A’ levels) all the way through to a level 7, which is equivalent to a Masters degree.

High satisfaction 

86% of our apprentices are satisfied with their programme! 

​​​​​​I didn't believe that Barnardo's would help me to achieve, but they did

John, ETS service user 

Years of experience

We have been running successful apprenticeships, for apprentices aged 16-24, for over 25 years. During this time we have provided apprenticeships to more than 1500 young people. Sam is one of those young people.

Apprenticeships offered: 

Beauty Therapy - General

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,000 per apprentice

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Beauty Therapy - Massage

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,500 per apprentice

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Business Administrator 

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 18 months 

Current funding band: up to £5,000 per apprentice

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Business and Administration (Level 2)

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,000 per apprentice

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Business and Administration (Level 3)

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 18 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,500 per apprentice

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Business and Professional Administration

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Level: 4 (equivalent to certificate of higher education)

Typical length: 24 months 

Current funding band: up to £4,000 per apprentice

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Children and Young People's Social Care

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 20 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,500 per apprentice

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Children and Young People's Workforce

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,000 per apprentice

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Customer Service

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,000 per apprentice

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Customer Service Practitioner

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £3,500 per apprentice

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Customer Service Specialist

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 15 months 

Current funding band: up to £4,000 per apprentice

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Decorative Finishing and Industrial Painting

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 18 months 

Current funding band: up to £6,000 per apprentice

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Early Years Educator

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 20 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,500 per apprentice

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Facilities Management

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £2,000 per apprentice

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Hairdressing (Level 2)

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £3,000 per apprentice

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Hairdressing (Level 3)

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Level: 3 (equivalent to A levels at grades A to E)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £3,000 per apprentice

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Retail 

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £1,500 per apprentice

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Supply Chain Warehouse Operative

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £3,000 per apprentice

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Team Leading 

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Level: 2 (equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C)

Typical length: 12 months 

Current funding band: up to £1,500 per apprentice

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How to apply

To apply for a specific programme, or to find out more information, speak to the team today!

Meet our apprentices 

Apprentice Lee standing next to his Barnardo's worker

Lee

Lee's life had been chaotic, but we helped him feel empowered to take on the world of work - he's on track to complete a 16 week traineeship in dry lining and gain qualifications in literacy & numeracy!

"It has helped turn my life around. Building Hope Academy has given me structure and I feel a lot more stable. It has given me something to focus on, working hard, having a goal set in mind"

Apprentice Thirza standing in front of a Barnardo's banner

Thirza

As a young carer herself, Thirza’s insight is vital. She knows how hard it can be. That’s why we offered her an apprenticeship, working to ensure that other young carers get the support they need.

"I am thrilled to now be working the team that supported me, and that I'm able to help support other young carers in my area. My experience means I can empathise with the young people we work with and give the team an insight in life from a young carer's perspective."

Apprentice Sophie standing in front of a Barnardo's store

Sophie

Apprentice Sophie, 22, is studying her level 3 diploma for managers. So we gave her the chance to do just that - manage! She’s now helping to run our Abbeyfield Donation Centre in Sheffield and is loving it.

"It's been amazing... I have been greatly supported by everyone within Barnardo's and have learnt so much while being here"

So whoever you are, whatever your background – your new career could be out there. What are you waiting for?