Becoming a governance officer apprentice

A governance officer apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to work in a governance role while studying for a foundational governance qualification accredited by the Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland (‘CGIUKI’). CGIUKI is the chartered professional body which sets the international qualifying standards and is dedicated to supporting governance professionals. You’ll learn from experienced colleagues, gain practical skills, achieve a qualification that employers want, and earn a salary at the same time.

What is a Governance Officer? - Presentation Slides

Apprenticeships are for everyone

Apprenticeships are currently only available in England, and are open to practically everyone. There’s no upper age limit: you must simply be over 16, not in full-time education and have lived in the UK or European Economic Area (EEA) for at least three years.

So, whether you’re a school-leaver with A Levels or you’ve already started working and want a change of direction, it could be a great opportunity for you to build an exciting career in governance.

There are opportunities in virtually every industry, from professional services firms, which provide a range of clients with company secretarial services, to public and private companies, from charities to sports governing bodies, from government to education, from the NHS to universities – so there’s no limit to your career pathway.

Five reasons to undertake a governance officer apprenticeship

1. Qualifying route: an apprenticeship enables you to become a  governance professional without the debt of university study.
2. Earn while you learn: start earning from day one and get the same benefits as an employee.
3. An alternative route to chartered governance status: completing the Level 4 apprenticeship exempts you from the Foundation Programme of the CGIUKI Qualifying Programme, which is the typical route for anyone who wants to be recognised in governance but does not have a law, finance or governance background. After completion of your apprenticeship you will be eligible to move straight to Part One of the qualifying programme, taking you closer to becoming a Chartered Governance Professional.
4. Develop on-the-job skills: you'll qualify with a well-rounded set of skills, understand how a Board works, be exposed to office processes and procedures and gain professional experience that will make you a highly sought-after employee.
5. Increase your earning potential: government research shows those completing an apprenticeship at Level 4 or above could earn £150,000 more on average over their lifetime than their peers without an apprenticeship.

Earnings and costs

You don’t pay any fees to undertake an apprenticeship, no matter what age you are. All training costs are paid by your employer and the government.

If you're aged 16 to 18 or in the first year of your apprenticeship, you’ll be entitled to the national minimum wage for an apprentice. If you're 19 or over and you've completed the first year of your apprenticeship, you’ll be entitled to the national minimum wage, although a number of employers pay above this.

Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you’ll be highly employable, so there’s no limit to your salary potential. If you want to continue your career in governance, you could expect to earn around £28-£35k on completing your apprenticeship and up to £75k - £140k if you progress to become a chartered governance professional depending on the sector you are working in and whether you are London based or not.

Find a governance officer apprenticeship vacancy