Management positions are in available every industry, making a business management apprenticeship a great option for aspiring leaders.
Nicholas Jamison – Business Management Apprentice, PwC
What’s an apprenticeship in business management?
Business management apprenticeships unlock the opportunity for exciting career paths in a range of industries. With the global economy becoming ever more interconnected, there is high demand for skilled and qualified leaders who understand the complexity of business in the modern world.
Whether your future aspirations are to become the CEO of a large company, be an integral part of a senior management team or own your own business, a business management apprenticeship will equip you with the real-life experience to build a successful and rewarding career.
Nicole Duff – Level 6 BSc (Hons) Business Management Apprenticeship, PwC | Ulster University
"I think the best part of doing this apprenticeship is that I’m not being put in any box. I’ve known people who feel stuck after a degree because they realise the subject isn’t for them. That doesn’t happen with business management as the subjects are so diverse you can literally carve your own career by pursuing the things that light you up.”
Jonny Gowdy – Director of Business Operations, PwC
“The best advice I can give is have the courage to back yourself. There’s a world of opportunity available giving people access to learn and work with some of the best companies in the world. There’s a huge diversity of people, from all backgrounds working with us, and all of them bring something unique and valuable to the table.”
Facts and stats
Average salary
The average salary for a business management role is £46,718 in the UK1.
Popularity
In 2019/20, over 94,000 apprentices started in business, administration or law2.
Future opportunities
65% of apprentices stay working for the company that trained them when they complete their apprenticeship3.
Employers
Well-known employers offering business management apprenticeships include Pearson, DHL, the BBC, McDonalds, Mott MacDonald and the AA.
Core skills
Business and management careers span a number of sectors and those with the right skills and qualifications are in high demand.
Roles
A business management apprenticeship could lead to roles such as a business development consultant, business analyst or project manager to name a few.
Who would suit an apprenticeship?
Business management apprenticeships are becoming increasingly popular because of the depth and breadth of career opportunities they can lead to. While apprenticeships are available from an intermediate level, many in business management are higher and degree level, equipping apprentices with skills and knowledge to understand the functions of a business.
As an apprentice, you’ll be exposed to a range of roles to get real-life experience of the many management functions you could focus your career on. This could include business operations, project management, risk and compliance or people management, to name just a few.
Many large employers offer apprenticeships as they value the advantages of nurturing employees and developing their skill sets to suit the growth of their business. PwC, Tesco, Network Rail, the BBC and IBM are just some of the larger companies who invest heavily in apprentices.
A business management apprenticeship might be the right choice for you if you aspire to climb the corporate ladder but aren’t sure which area of management you want to pursue yet.
Stefan Coulter – Level 6 BSc (Hons) Business Management Fast Start Apprenticeship, PwC | Ulster Business School
“I remember being told that my GCSE results meant I’d probably never get into university, and I was devastated and demotivated. I’d have never believed you if you’d told me I’d be a business management apprentice with one of the biggest businesses in the world today.”
Danielle Arney – Level 6 Business Management Apprenticeship, IBM
“When I started looking at my options, I hadn’t even heard of a degree apprenticeship. As soon as I discovered them and started looking into them, I could immediately see the benefit of going into a real business environment, getting work experience and still gaining a qualification.”
Discover employers offering apprenticeships
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Pros
- You have financial stability, with a monthly salary and no student debt.
- You’ll learn skills that will be useful in every business.
- Real-life work experience means you can choose a career path to suit your own ambitions.
Cons
- Workload can be challenging when you’re working and studying at the same time.
- Business apprenticeships are very popular, so it can be competitive.
- Many apprentices are paid less than their qualified colleagues working in similar roles.
Why choose an apprenticeship?
You may consider an apprenticeship to get the best of both worlds – to start earning, build experience and gain an industry-recognised qualification at the same time. An apprenticeship also allows you to explore the different aspects of the industry so you can start to plan your career.
This route has allowed me to take control of my own career.
Nicole Duff, Apprentice at PwC
Companies work alongside universities and other education providers to ensure apprenticeship programmes are designed to develop employees and support business growth, a combination that’s great for keeping the economy thriving.
As an apprentice, you can expect lots of support from your employer as they’re investing in the future. This means you will usually have career coaching, regular feedback and flexibility in the study element of the apprenticeship.
There’s a world full of management opportunities and apprenticeships give you access to the best companies in the world and excellent training.
Jonny Gowdy, Employer at PwC
Industry top tips
Watch our top tips on how to get into business management.
How do you start an apprenticeship?
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What qualifications do I need to become a business management apprentice?
Each apprenticeship vacancy will show the entry requirements the employer is looking for, so make sure you check the criteria before applying. Some apprenticeships don’t require any qualifications at all. For higher and degree apprenticeships, you generally need GCSEs in English and maths, and at least 3 A levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications, such as BTEC Nationals.
Some employers will also accept access qualifications as an alternative. If you have any queries about whether you meet the requirements for the role, you should contact the employer directly.
In Scotland, you may need either three or more National 4s or 5s, or Scottish Highers depending on the type of apprenticeship you're applying for.
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Where can I find apprenticeships?
You can use our Career Finder for look for apprenticeships in business management and the UK Government website also advertises all apprenticeships currently open for applications. Universities and colleges will often advertise vacancies and careers advisers can also point you in the right direction.
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How do I apply for an apprenticeship?
You’ll need to apply directly with employers who are offering apprenticeships, and vacancies appear throughout the year with their own deadlines and start dates.
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What can I expect when I apply?
Each employer will have a different process, but there are a few parts in the recruitment process to prepare for. You’ll need to prepare a written application and attend an interview either face-to-face or online. You may then need to attend an assessment centre or complete some psychometric tests so the employers can assess whether the role would suit you.
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When do apprenticeships start?
Vacancies with larger firms often start appearing from September, but most are advertised from January or February onwards. Smaller businesses might start recruiting a month or two before the job starts, so if you hope to start work in August or September, start looking from March/April onwards.
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How long do apprenticeships last?
Apprenticeship programmes will vary in length depending on the level you choose but a typical Level 5 degree apprenticeship will take three-four years to complete, whereas a typical Level 2 apprenticeship will take around 18 months.
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