Apprenticeships and internships
Our early careers, apprenticeships and internships are a great way to start your new career and gain valuable industry experience. We have opportunities across many areas including our animal centres, IT, or even communications and VIP!
See current apprenticeship vacanciesWhat is an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes leading to industry recognised qualifications. Because they're occupation-focused rather than qualification-led, they develop the skills and behaviours required within your chosen career as well as theoretical knowledge.
Apprentices are given a 20 percent off-the-job training allowance in order to complete their apprenticeship training.
What our apprenticeships offer
- Opportunities across England and Wales
- Apprenticeship levels ranging from Level two to Level seven (GCSE to Masters Degree)
- And a wide range of benefits which you can learn more about on our benefits page.
Want to find out more?
Take a look at our FAQs below and read our apprenticeship booklet which tells you more about what you can expect from an apprenticeship at the RSPCA.
Read our apprenticeship booklet
FAQs
Apprenticeships are open to everybody who is:
- over the age of 16
- not in full-time education
- eligible to work in the UK
Some of our apprenticeships ask for ‘essential’ or ‘desirable’ qualifications, skills or experience. These will be listed on the apprenticeship vacancy advert - so just take a look at what's on offer.
The application process in Wales is the same as in England. Welsh apprenticeship vacancies can be found on the RSPCA jobs site and on the Welsh Government website.
The application process
All RSPCA apprenticeship vacancies are advertised on our careers website as well as the find an apprenticeship in Wales website and find an apprenticeship in England website. To apply, just follow the instructions on the advert.
Contact your local RSPCA branch to find out what opportunities they have currently we don't list branch vacancies.
There are six steps in the recruitment process:
- Application deadline.
- Invitation for interview - You will be contacted by phone or email (sometimes both) to invite you for an interview. You will also be contacted by at least an email if your application is unsuccessful.
- Interview - These will be conducted face to face or via video call. We aim to have 2 people on the interview panel.
- Selection - To ensure consistency, we score all interviews for each role in the same way. Once a decision has been made we contact all interviewees, whether successful or not. We also aim to include feedback where possible.
- Employer checks - We check your right to work in the UK, identification (for example passport, driver’s licence or CitizenCard). We might also ask for certificates to check that you are eligible for the apprenticeship you have applied for.
- Start date and enrolment - The apprenticeship provider will explain what the apprenticeship looks like and what you can expect from them.
Our top three tips for your application:
- Try to show that you have - or think you could develop while working - the skills listed in the advert. And tell us about any experience you have.
- Share examples of how you demonstrate our vision and values.
- Tell us what you’re passionate about and why you’re interested in the role.
250
apprenticeships enrolled since August 2017
25
different apprenticeship qualifications offered to date
Apprentice experiences
Becky Slater
Data Protection Support Assistant
Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship
“The skills, knowledge and experiences gained from my apprenticeship training have given me a solid foundation for whichever career path I choose.”
Chris Butler
Animal Centre Manager
Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship
“The apprenticeship has developed my knowledge in my current role and has improved by chances of furthering my management career within the RSPCA.”
Mark Bowmer
Senior Business Analyst
Level 4 Business Analyst Apprenticeship
“The support from both my line manager and the RSPCA was excellent. I had regular check-ins to assess my progress where I could raise any queries.”
Internships
We proudly offer internships across various fields to provide students and recent graduates with temporary, practical work experience related to their career interests. By sharing our expertise, we aim to help interns develop new skills and gain hands-on professional experience. Typically ranging from a few weeks to a year, internships offer valuable opportunities for interns to learn, grow, and hopefully feel inspired to consider us as an employer of choice.
HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR INTERNS...
Serena Cambridge
Economics, Politics and International Relations undergraduate student at the University of Lancaster - 12 week Internship.
“I am really enjoying being a part of the finance team. I am grateful to the team for being so willing to help me gain a better understanding of the sector.”
Marcel Ferreira
Computer Science undergraduate student at the University of Essex - 12 week Internship.
“Undertaking an internship with the RSPCA's IT solutions team has been an enriching experience. I have learnt so much already.”
