I work for a College and we offer apprenticeships. They are advertised in our prospectus the same as any other course and students apply for them in the same way.
If they are successful, they do the first year in college during which time we help them find employment and the second year is 4 days per week in work and 1 day per week in College. Once they have the basic qualification, they can continue on day release or at nights to do further qualifications in their chosen field, like an HNC or HNC and then go on to a degree.