Apprenticeships

Introduction to apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience and get paid. As an apprentice, you are an employee with a contract of employment and holiday leave. By the end of an apprenticeship, you will have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career along with a nationally recognised qualification.

It can take between one and six years to complete an apprenticeship depending on which one you choose, what level it is and your previous experience. It is funded from contributions made by the Government and your employer.

Apprenticeships Week runs in February 2024 – see all the events co-ordinated by the Careers Team at Joined Up Care Derbyshire:

Apprenticeships Week 2024 flyer

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Criteria
To become an apprentice, you must:
- Be aged 16 years or over
- Not already be in full-time education
- Live in England.
You can start an apprenticeship whether you are starting your career, want a change or you are upskilling in your current job. You can have a previous qualification like a degree and still start an apprenticeship.

If you don’t live in England, check out apprenticeship options in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland.
Rewards
As an apprentice you will:
- Learn and train for a specific job
- Get paid and receive holiday leave
- Get hands-on experience in a real job
- Study for at least 20% of your working hours – usually at a college, university or with a training provider
- Complete assessments during and at the end of your apprenticeship
- Be on a career path with lots of future potential.
As an apprentice, you will get:
- Paid and be entitled to the National Minimum Wage
- Time for training or study as part of your apprenticeship
- Holiday pay and other employee rights.
Pay
Levels
Each apprenticeship has a level and an equivalent education level. You can start an apprenticeship at any level.

Depending on the level, some apprenticeships may:
- Require previous qualifications such as an English or maths GCSE
- Give extra training in the English or maths skills needed so you are at the right level
At the end of your apprenticeship, you will achieve the equivalent education level. For example, if you complete a level 3 apprenticeship, you will achieve the equivalent of an A level.

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

Health Careers, health apprenticeships

External PDF document

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

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Joined Up Careers Derbyshire rotational apprenticeships

Apprenticeship levy

Apprenticeships are a great way for people to learn on the job, both for new starters to the NHS and for existing members of staff, allowing learners the opportunity to gain a qualification and apply their learning while continuing to earn a salary. Large organisations in England pay the Apprenticeship Levy and can then use this to fund training for new and existing staff. There is also provision for them to give other organisations access to their funds, via a transfer. All primary and community care employing organisations can take advantage of this offer, irrespective of their size.

What apprenticeship training can be paid for by the levy?

We suggest employing organisations use Healthcare Apprenticeship Standards Online to see what apprenticeship standard training can be paid for by the Apprenticeship Levy transfer fund – it is a quick and simple search.
Do levy funds cover all apprenticeship training?
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

Apprenticeship Levy form

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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.

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