Hello, my son 16 and half is interested to do Army Painter Decorator apprenticeship. I have some questions...

Good Afternoon Monika,

So.....

1. undertaking an apprenticeship in the Army is done alongside being a soldier. You sign a contract to be a soldier which is comprises of training and then 3 years of service after training (usually totalling a 4 years term). You then get signed off for completing your work as part of your apprenticeship. If he completes his apprenticeship before this time period finishes then he will still need to continue to serve until this term of service has expired. If completing his apprenticeship takes longer he can continue, and choose to leave once he has finished, with 1 years notice period.

2. He will need to undertake basic training as cadet training gives an idea of what training is like but does not train to an appropriate level to be a soldier.

3. All soldiers are entitled to subsidised accommodation while they serve, this can be for them or their partners and dependants if applicable.

4. All equipment that is required will be provided by the Army however there may be some things that soldiers choose to buy themselves.

I personally recommend using the Army as a method for gaining qualifications while being paid. I joined having not taken my education seriously when i was younger and now im soon to complete my degree and have travelled all over the world.

Hopefully this helps, please let me know if you want to know more.