can i get apprenticeship without qualifications School Leavers

Can I get an Apprenticeship without any qualifications?

If you’re wondering can I get an Apprenticeship without any qualifications – in short, yes you can. Not all Apprenticeships require GCSEs or any qualifications at all for that matter. We’ve put together a guide to help you understand Apprenticeships and the levels you can do without any qualifications.

What is an Apprenticeship?

An Apprenticeships is a combination of practical hands on work, where you’ll gain experience and develop skills, combined with off the job training. You will gain a nationally recognised qualification and earn a salary. Apprenticeship levels range from intermediate to degree.

Can I get an Apprenticeship without any qualifications?

If you have no qualifications prior to an Apprenticeship don’t panic; there are options for you in hundreds of roles. Entry level Apprenticeships (intermediate) sometimes won’t require you to have any qualifications. These are equivalent to having 5 GCSE passes and from there you can embark on an advanced level Apprenticeship once completed. If you don’t have any GCSEs in English, Maths and IT, you will normally need to complete functional skills which will be completed alongside your Apprenticeship.

What Apprenticeship Programmes are available to me?

If you don’t have any qualification there is still a wide range of roles available to you. To name a few:

  • Landbased, Environmental, Animal Care
  • Business, Admin, Finance
  • Construction
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Hospitality and Travel
  • Customer Service
  • Retail
  • Hair and Beauty
  • Creative, Digital, Media
  • IT and Telecoms
  • Sport and Fitness
  • Health and Childcare
Black young woman sat at laptop thinking

Finding an Intermediate Apprenticeship

It’s never been so simple finding an Apprenticeship via the Careermap website. Simply choose ‘Apprenticeships’ from the drop-down menu, select what type of Apprenticeship you’re looking for and then enter your location, you can then quickly scan through the Apprenticeships which are labelled by levels so if you have no qualifications, you’ll be looking for level 2 Apprenticeships. Then apply and you’re one step closer to finding your dream role. Good luck!

Take a step closer towards your future

Keep reading

Articles we think will help you ace your job search.

School Leavers

How to Make the Most of Your Free Time After Leaving School (UK Guide)

Leaving school is a major life step – but what comes next? Whether you're thinking about university, an apprenticeship, a job, or taking a gap year, this guide explores the best ways to spend your time productively after school. Packed with practical tips and real-world advice, it’s designed to help UK school leavers make confident, informed decisions.

School Leavers

Starting Out in PR: My Career Journey from A-Levels to Senior Account Executive

Lotta Baud, now a Senior Account Executive at strategic comms consultancy TALA, shares how she turned her passion for English and communication into a thriving PR career—without going to university. Through a hands-on apprenticeship, she gained real-world experience early on, setting her apart in a fast-paced industry that thrives on creativity, strategy and storytelling. In this blog, Lotta reflects on her journey, the skills that matter in PR, and why an alternative route into the industry might be the smartest move you make.

School Leavers

NEW YEAR, NEW CAREER?

As students across the UK consider their next steps, many are turning to apprenticeships as a valuable alternative to university. Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Aldi highlights inspiring success stories of employees who started as apprentices and quickly progressed in their careers. With opportunities in Stores, Warehouse, and Driver roles, Aldi’s apprenticeship programmes offer hands-on experience, competitive pay, and clear career progression. Discover how an Aldi Apprenticeship can set you on the path to success!