Maybe people are getting confused because from work I’ve heard it’s the same sort of initial training and then you start the job and there’s workbooks and assessments as you work over the next year.
No confirmed start date for apprenticeship, however both courses offer level 3 qualifications. The current training is 8 weeks including 2 of C&R and 13 workbooks completed during the 8 weeks. When the apprenticeship is rolled out you will still do initial training with additional weeks at stages during your first 12 months. Lots more paper work and workbooks on the apprenticeship.
Whichever course you complete will give you the basics and your real learning will be done upon return to your establishment and stepping onto the Landings.