Apprenticeships

Introduction to apprenticeships

Apprenticeships in health and social care offer unique pathways into the sector, combining hands-on experience with formal learning. These programmes enable individuals to develop practical skills while working alongside professionals, gaining invaluable insights into the essential roles that support people’s health and wellbeing. Whether you are just starting your career journey or seeking to enhance your skills, an apprenticeship provides the foundation for growth, responsibility and meaningful impact within communities.

Criteria
To embark on an apprenticeship in health and social care, candidates typically need to meet a set of entry requirements that ensure readiness for both the academic and practical aspects of the role.

These criteria may include:

Minimum age requirements – often 16 years or older

A genuine interest in caring for others

Qualifications such as GCSEs in English and Mathematics or their equivalents (depending on the role and apprenticeship and apprentice age)

Employment checks

References (employment/education).

Flexibility, empathy and a willingness to learn are qualities highly valued in prospective apprentices, as these roles demand both technical competence and a compassionate approach.
Rewards
An apprenticeship in health and social care offers a multitude of rewards, both personal and professional. Apprentices not only gain invaluable hands-on experience in real care settings but also develop a deep understanding of the sector’s core values. The opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives infuses daily tasks with purpose and fulfilment, in both clinical and non-clinical roles.

In addition to earning while learning, apprentices will achieve nationally recognised qualifications that open doors to further career progression.

As an apprentice you will:

Receive structured training: Apprenticeships combine practical work experience with formal learning, allowing you to build skills on the job while studying relevant theory

Work towards qualifications: You will complete assignments and assessments leading to nationally recognised certifications, which form the foundation of future career progression

Benefit from mentorship: Experienced professionals guide your development, offering feedback and support to help you grow both personally and professionally

Engage in varied tasks: Apprentices take on diverse responsibilities, gaining exposure to different aspects of the sector and broadening their expertise

Reflect on core values: Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll be encouraged to uphold the principles of compassion, dignity, and respect in every role you undertake

Progress your career: Successful completion of your apprenticeship not only provides qualifications but also opens pathways to further roles, advanced training, and specialisations within health and social care

These components ensure that, as an apprentice, you are well-equipped to meet the demands of your profession and make a positive impact on those you support.
Pay

Apprentice pay and the National Minimum Wage

There are different rates of pay for apprentices depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you are in. Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay.

Rates of pay according to your age are shown on Gov.uk.
Levels
There are a range of apprenticeship levels designed to suit different stages of your professional journey:

Intermediate Apprenticeships (Level 2): Ideal for those starting out, these entry-level programmes provide foundational skills and knowledge to begin your career in Health and Social Care.

Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3): Building upon the basics, this level prepares you for more specialised roles and responsibilities and is well suited to those aiming to step into supervisory positions.

Higher Apprenticeships (Levels 4-5): Geared towards individuals seeking to develop advanced expertise and leadership capabilities, these programmes often focus on areas such as management or specialist care practices.

Degree Apprenticeships (Levels 6-7): For those aspiring to achieve degree-level qualifications while gaining practical experience, these advanced pathways enable you to develop senior leadership skills and in-depth sectoral knowledge.

Each level is tailored to match your starting point and ambitions, ensuring that you can progress confidently from entry-level roles through to senior positions, all while contributing meaningfully to the field of Health and Social Care.

Details of apprenticeship levels and their equivalent education level are shown on the Gov.uk website.
Apply
Applying for an NHS apprenticeship

There has never been a better time to start an NHS apprenticeship but often there is a lot of competition for a place. This means your application and interview are crucial. Some things to think about:

Show that you are committed

Make sure you are aware of your responsibilities

Demonstrate that you are able to cope with work and study

Take a look at the range of healthcare apprenticeship career routes on Skills for Health

You can find NHS apprenticeship vacancies on the NHS Jobs website.

So, what happens after finishing an apprenticeship?

You may be offered a permanent job. Most successful apprentices stay in employment, often with the same employer. It is always a good idea to check whether you will be offered a job at the end of your programme.

You could continue your studies through an apprenticeship at higher level or you may have the qualifications you need to go to university.

View NHS Apprenticeships for more information.

Gov.uk apprenticeships

External website

Gov.uk find an apprenticeship

External website

NHS England, health apprenticeships

External website

Skills for Care, social care apprenticeships

External website

Apprenticeship case study with Derby City Council

Joint health and social care apprenticeship scheme

Joined Up Careers runs an apprenticeship scheme which brings together NHS and social care organisations, giving people an exciting insight into the world of health and social care. The first 15-month apprenticeship scheme was launched in 2018 with apprentices concluding their involvement in early 2020. A second apprenticeship scheme launched in September 2020. Candidates work in a variety of different placements from care homes to community health facilities and hospitals, as well as benefitting from regular support and training. If you would like information on the next joint apprenticeship scheme, please contact us.

Joined Up Careers Derbyshire Apprenticeship Evaluation Report

pdf, 1.03 MB

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Examples of apprentice job descriptions:

Job description - health and social care assistant apprentice

doc, 144.00 KB

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Job description - community health and social care assistant

doc, 137.00 KB

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Supporting documents for the apprenticeship programme:

Apprentice programme memorandum of understanding for partners

docx, 291.00 KB

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Pilot apprenticeship launch FAQs

docx, 383.78 KB

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Apprenticeship flyer

pdf, 218.95 KB

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Joined Up Careers Derbyshire rotational apprenticeships

Apprenticeship levy

Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for individuals, including both new entrants to the NHS and current staff, to gain job-related skills and qualifications while remaining employed. Large organisations in England contribute to the Apprenticeship Levy, which can be used to fund training for both new and existing employees. Additionally, these organisations may transfer part of their funds to other organisations. All primary and community care employers, regardless of size, are eligible to utilise this arrangement.

What apprenticeship training can be paid for by the levy?

The apprenticeship levy can be used to finance a wide range of costs directly associated with learning and development. This includes tuition fees for approved apprenticeship training programmes, assessment costs, and external certification. In addition, the levy can help cover the expenses of materials and resources essential for apprenticeships, provided they are integral to the approved curriculum.

Wage costs, travel costs, and non-apprenticeship related training are not eligible for levy funding.

Click here to see the full list of Healthcare Apprenticeship Standards Online.
How can employers apply for a levy transfer?

Employers are required to complete an Apprenticeship Levy transfer expression of interest form which is available for download below and by emailing ddicb.joinedupcareers@nhs.net

Updated JUCD Gifted Levy Application Form September 2025

xlsx, 19.72 KB

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The employing organisation will be informed if their application has been approved, or not, with the reason. It typically takes 30 days to process the application.

Once the application is approved, do organisations need to do anything else?

As an employer requesting levy transfer, you will need to set up an account on the Gov.uk apprenticeship service. The Education and Skills Funding Agency YouTube channel has how-to videos showing you how to do this. You must include your employee ID on your levy transfer request which is available once your account has been set up.

Once you are linked to a gifting organisation, you will need to input your apprentice details and the organisation will need your cohort reference numbers and costs from the training provider you have selected. We will need to know your URN (training provider reference number accessed from the training provider). You can then access the account and draw down the agreed funds.

Please note, once a transfer has been approved by the sending employer, receiving employers will have 6 weeks to accept these funds. If no action is taken, the transfer funds will no longer be available, and you may need to apply for a new transfer. When the receiving employer has accepted the funds (within the 6 weeks), they will have 3 months to use the funds by linking them to an approved apprenticeship record. Again, if no action is taken, the transfer funds will no longer be available and you may need to apply for a new transfer.

Further information on the apprenticeship levy transfer process from Health Education Derbyshire.

For General Practice apprenticeship requests within Derby and Derbyshire – please ensure this is approved via The Hub Plus ddlmc.thehubplus@nhs.net