Apprenticeships

We aim to support the apprenticeship model of training to develop the workforce of the future in Primary Care and Social Care. There are a number of apprenticeship pathways covering both clinical and the non-clinical roles. Apprenticeships offer a wide range of benefits that make them a valuable and rewarding pathway for people looking for a career in healthcare.

Expression of Interest

Benefits of an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships provide a learning journey that combines education with practical experience, alongside experienced staff and mentorship. You can apply your learning whilst earning a salary and working towards being fully qualified.

Hands-on learning
Skills development
Earn while you learn
Mentorship and guidance
Peer support
Route into employment and career progression
Industry recognition
Networking
Gaining and improving confidence

How do they work

Apprentices must spend a minimum of 20% of their time on off-the-job training, which must be directly relevant to the apprenticeship framework/standard and be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week.

This can be delivered at the apprentice’s normal place or work, but it must not be part of their normal working duties.

Apprentices must be employed for a minimum of 30-hours per week and meet set standards in Functional Skills (Maths and English).

For someone in full time employment, an apprenticeship will usually be made up of 80% normal work and 20% off the job training which roughly works out as 4 days at work and 1 day of training.

Apprenticeships levels

Intermediate Advanced Higher Degree

Intermediate

Intermediate level apprentices follow work-based learning towards level 2 – equivalent to 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C). These apprenticeships provide the skills needed for the chosen career and allow entry to an advanced level apprenticeship. Apprenticeships at level 2 include:

Healthcare Support Worker – Level 2
Pharmacy Services Assistant – Level 2
Adult Care Worker – Level 2
Customer Service – Level 2

Advanced

Advanced level apprentices follow work-based learning towards level 3 – equivalent to 2 A-levels. To start this level of apprenticeship, you should ideally have 5 GCSEs (grade 4/C or above) or have completed an intermediate level apprenticeship. Apprenticeships at level 3 include:

Senior Healthcare Support Worker – Level 3
Business Administrator – Level 3
Lead Adult Care Worker – Level 3
Team Leader / Supervisor – Level 3
Content Creator – Level 3
HR Support – Level 3
Data Technician – Level 3
Pharmacy Technician – Level 3
Customer Service Specialist – Level 3

Higher

Higher level apprentices follow work-based learning towards levels 4,5,6 and 7 – equivalent to a foundation degree and above. To start this level of apprenticeship, you should ideally have 2 A-levels (or equivalent) or have completed an advanced level apprenticeship. Apprenticeships at level 4,5,6 and 7 include:

Associate Project Manager – Level 4
Data Analyst – Level 4
Lead Practitioner in Adult Care – Level 4
Associate Project Manager – Level 4
Leader in Adult Care – Level 5
HR Consultant Partner – Level 5
Nursing Associate – Level 5
Operations / Departmental Manager – Level 5
Coaching Professional – Level 5

Degree

Degree level apprenticeships follow work-based learning towards levels 6 and 7 – equivalent to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree. Apprenticeships at level 6 and 7 include:

Chartered Manager – Level 6
Registered nurse degree apprenticeship – Level 6
Project Manager – Level 6
Advanced clinical practitioner – Level 7
Senior Leader – Level 7
Specialist Community and Public Health Nurse – Level 7
Physician Associate Degree Apprenticeship – Level 7

Check our Demos

Who can be an apprentice?

Anyone can start at apprenticeship at any point over the age of 16 as long as they are not in full time education – regardless of age, background and career level.

The apprentice must:

be aged 16 years or over
have employer’s support to undertake the course
have Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English e.g. GCSE at minimum Grade C/4 or equivalent for Level 3 apprenticeships and above.
spend at least 20% of their time off-job-training
be paid for time spent in training or studying for relevant qualification

Entry requirements

Different apprenticeships have different specific entry requirements, and all require the apprentice to be working in a relevant job role to the apprenticeship they are undertaking.

How long does an apprenticeship take to complete?

Depending on the level of apprenticeship it can take anywhere between 1 and 5 years to complete.

Apprenticeships available

Non Clinical

Level 2

Accounts or Finance Assistant
Health Care Cleaning Operative

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

Clinical

Level 2

Healthcare Support Worker
Pharmacy Services Assistant

Level 3

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 7

An apprenticeship requires the apprentice to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs). The KSBs are outlined for each apprenticeship within the Apprenticeship Standard.

Apprenticeship standards – Institute for apprenticeships

Benefits for Primary Care Organisations

Grow

Opportunity to grow your own workforce and bring fresh ideas into your organisation.

Increase applicants

Increasing the number of potential applicants for your vacancies – attracting people who may not previously considered or thought about a career in Primary Care.

Increase performance

Learning can be applied immediately in the workplace, increasing performance and productivity.

Boost retention

Investing in staff professional development through an apprenticeship increases employee satisfaction and can boost retention.

Cost effective

They are cost-effective, as employers get between 95%-100% of course fees paid through the apprenticeship levy.

Qualification

Apprentices gain a nationally recognised qualification as well as the experience they need to either start their chosen career or work towards career progression.

Future workforce

Apprenticeships can be used for current staff development and to recruit and develop new staff – helping your organisation build a workforce with future ready skills.

Useful Resources

Using apprenticeships to support workforce supply – NHS Employers

The Value of Apprenticeships in Health and Care – NHS Employers

Apprenticeship Funding Rules and Guidance for Employers – here

Supporting Your Apprentice (Includes Mentoring, performance reviews and wellbeing) Supporting your apprentice (apprenticeships.gov.uk)

Improving the Apprentice Experience – Learning and Work Institute Manager’s Guide

Support for Apprentices with a Learning Difficulty or Disability – Guidance document

HEE has a Corporate Membership on behalf of the NHS to the Association of Apprentices. Further information and registration instructions are available via this link.

Access the GOV.UK Becoming an Apprentice information.

Greater Manchester Levy Matchmaking Service will facilitate funding transfers to create more apprenticeship opportunities – Here

Employing an apprentice offers detailed information and guidance on hiring an apprentice – Here

Apprenticeship Implementation Toolkit offers an Apprenticeship implementation toolkit, which is designed to support you through the whole process from setting your organisational strategy through to when your apprentices are with you in the workplace – Here

BKSB Functional Skills access for the BKSB Functional Skills learning, for 1 year. This does not include the examination – Here

Apprenticeships off the job learning guide please see the following link to view a useful off the job learning employer guide – Here

Public health apprenticeship resources please see the below link to the HASO webpage which has lots of resources to support employers to implement public health apprenticeships – Here

ESFA Apprentice support centre the new ESFA Apprentice Support Centre is now available. The site features lots of useful information available for employers- Here

Good youth employment charter please see below link to the newly published ‘Good youth employment charter which can be found on the HASO site – Here The charter covers five core principles including – Creating opportunity, recognising talent, fair employment, and developing people and youth voices.