A guide to apprenticeships in Northern Ireland

Apprenticeship levels in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, apprenticeships are currently available at:

Level 2 - equivalent to five GCSE passes.
Level 3 - equivalent to two A-level passes.
Levels 4-7 - Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs) are equivalent to a higher national certificate (HNC), foundation degree or the first year of a university degree.

Each level typically takes two years to complete.

Read about apprenticeships in Northern Ireland at NI Direct - Apprenticeships.

You can also get more general information on apprenticeship levels and the pay rates for apprentices by reading our essential guide to apprenticeships.

What's available

In Northern Ireland, there are over 100 apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3, with almost the same number of HLAs to select from. They're available in a range of subjects to enter the country's priority industries, including:

accountancy
business services
computer science
construction
creative industries
financial services
food and drink manufacturing
health sciences
mechanical engineering
motor vehicles
retail.

Search for apprenticeships at NI Direct - Search for apprenticeship opportunities.

Eligibility

To become an apprentice in Northern Ireland, you need to be:

aged at least 16
employed or be ready to take up a permanent, paid position in the country
working at least 21 hours per week
eligible to live and work in the country.

In addition, you shouldn't already have recognised vocational qualifications in this field.

Apprenticeship wage in Northern Ireland

As an apprentice, you'll receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for your age group.

For all those aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over and in their first year of a Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship, the current wage (from April 2025) is £7.55.

This rate doesn't apply to those on higher-level apprenticeships, as it is set according to the NMW for your age group.

Read more about what you're entitled to as an apprentice at NI Direct - The National Minimum Wage and Living Wage.

According to Indeed, the average salary for an apprentice in Northern Ireland is £24,420.

Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships

According to the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), there were 11,848 participants in the country's ApprenticeshipsNI programmes (Levels 2 and 3) at the end of April 2025, broken down as:

Level 2 - 5,042
Level 2/3 - 770
Level 3 - 6,036.

The three most popular broad subjects were revealed as:

engineering
electrotechnical
health and social care.

The apprenticeship will involve working for an employer and earning a wage, while studying at a further education (FE) college or through a private training provider.

In terms of entry requirements, for Level 2 apprenticeships, you'll need to demonstrate that you can complete the programme.

At Level 3, employers may expect three or more GCSEs or some previous work experience. However, this will depend on the specific requirements of the apprenticeship.

HLAs

NISRA statistics (May 2025) showed that 780 students enrolled in HLAs at Levels 4 to 7 during the 2022/23 academic year, representing a 20% increase compared to the previous year.

Figures showed that most HLAs programmes were undertaken at Level 6 (widely known as degree apprenticeships), with Ulster University accounting for 240 apprenticeship students during this academic year.

At degree level, business and management was the most popular subject studied, followed by computing.

Other popular HLA subjects include:

accountancy
engineering
healthcare
information and communications technology (ICT)
life sciences
professional services
technology.

HLAs are best suited to those who have just completed their GCSEs or A-levels and are considering their next steps.

To be eligible, you'll typically need:

five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A-C)
Level 3 qualifications, such as three A-levels or a BTEC National diploma.

Employers may also expect apprentices to have studied qualifications in related subjects - for example, maths, plus a science-based subject, business or IT, is often required if you're looking to do a computer science apprenticeship.

Which employers offer HLA programmes?

Major NI employers running HLA schemes include:

While many apprenticeships are based in Belfast, you'll also find opportunities in cities and towns such as:

Craigavon
Dungiven
Rathfriland.

HLAs are typically offered in partnership with local educational establishments such as:

Read more about HLA programmes at NI Direct - Higher Level Apprenticeships.

Find out more

Explore how to apply for an apprenticeship.
Consider whether to go to university or do an apprenticeship.
Get the lowdown on apprenticeships in Scotland and Wales.