Apprenticeships are already a key component of the NHS’s workforce strategy, and their role looks set to expand. The NHS 10-Year Health Plan makes multiple explicit references to apprenticeships, including:
- A renewed commitment to increasing apprenticeship numbers across both clinical and non-clinical roles – notably, the creation of 2,000 additional nursing apprenticeships over the next three years
- A role for apprenticeships in reducing international recruitment by “growing our own” – providing accessible career routes within local communities
What are apprenticeships?
An apprenticeship is a paid job combined with structured training. Apprentices work alongside experienced staff, gaining practical skills while studying towards a recognised qualification.
Apprenticeships are available at multiple levels:
- Level 2 – equivalent to GCSEs
- Level 3 – equivalent to A-Levels
- Level 4–5 – equivalent to Foundation degrees
- Level 6–7 – equivalent to undergraduate or postgraduate degrees
Typical duration: 1 to 5 years, depending on the role and level.
Who can apply?
To start an apprenticeship, you must:
- Be employed in a role relevant to the apprenticeship
- Be aged 16 or over
- Meet residency and immigration eligibility requirements
- Hold (or be willing to work towards) Maths and English qualifications at the required level
Why use apprenticeships?
- Higher retention rate – Retention figures show 90% of apprentices stay in the NHS workforce
- Improved productivity – The Department for Education research – “85% of employers said apprenticeships developed skills relevant to their organisation” and “78% reported it improved productivity”
- Cost effective – Apprenticeships are fully funded by the government through the levy (for employers with a payroll over £3M) or via levy transfer for smaller businesses
- Affordability for the individual – Apprenticeships offer the opportunity for people to learn through practice and theory on the job whilst still earning a salary and without any tuition fees or debt as a result of the apprenticeship
- Recruit a more diverse local workforce – Apprenticeships are a proven widening participation tool which enables social mobility
- Career development for employees – Providing the opportunity for the individual to gain a formally recognised qualification supporting future career progression
- Learner success – Emerging evidence shows apprentices are less likely to leave training compared to those on undergraduate training
Eligibility for apprenticeships
Anyone undertaking an apprenticeship must be in employment and the apprenticeship must be relevant to their role.
Apprenticeships can also be used to train existing employees or newly hired employees.
Typical eligibility criteria may vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship and include*:
- Evidence of Maths and English qualifications at GSCE grade level 9 to 4 ( grade A to C), Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent qualifications – find out how to gain Functional Skills or the process if you have international qualifications
- Aged 16+ at the time of enrolment (for health care based apprenticeships there’s often a requirement of 18+ as minimum age)
- Not already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment
- Be one of the following:
- a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning;
- OR a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.
* Please check eligibility criteria for each individual apprenticeship programme you’re considering.
Functional Skills
Please visit our Functional Skills Page for more information.
How are apprenticeships funded?
Each apprenticeship standard is assigned to a funding band. There are 30 funding bands which range between £1,500 and £27,000.
The funding band sets out the maximum funding available from the government for the cost of the training and assessment of the apprentice.
Apprenticeships are funded via the government levy.
Employers with an annual payroll over £3 million are required to pay into the levy fee pot. The levy funding can only be used towards the costs of training and assessment of apprentices.
Smaller organisations who do not pay the levy fee can receive a levy transfer. This is where a levy paying employer who is unlikely to use their full levy funding can ‘gift’ part of their levy to non-levy paying organisations. This process is called a levy transfer and ensures apprenticeship costs for non-levy payers are 100% covered.
Most primary and some social care employers will not pay the levy but can receive a levy transfer from secondary care trusts or other levy paying employers.
The NEL Training Hub can support with brokering a levy transfer for primary and adult social care organisations in NEL who are non levy payers – please visit our Apprenticeship Funding – Levy Transfer Page to see the process and to request support from the NEL Training Hub Team.
RECRUITMENT SUPPORT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES
We’re offering recruitment support for practices looking to hire receptionists, administrators, or trainee practice assistants.
Now’s the perfect time to advertise opportunities and build your next generation of talent. We’ll also be promoting vacancies on our live job board and at job fairs across North East London.
What We Offer
- Help with advertising your roles, plus promotion through our local networks, social media, and job boards.
- Guidance and referrals for both employers and recruits, including access to career development programmes such as the Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship — a fully funded, government-accredited programme that helps participants gain valuable skills and experience.
Interested?
Please complete the following form to find our more
EXISTING OFFERS
TAILORED GP PRACTICE APPRENTICESHIPS
We are now taking applications for our GP Practice Tailored Apprenticeships, with cohorts due to begin at the end of April. Please follow the link under each apprenticeship description below to express your interest and secure your place.
- GP Practice Operational Management Apprenticeship (Level 5)
An opportunity for those looking to enhance their leadership, strategic planning, project management, and operational decision-making skills.
For Deputy Practice Managers, Practice Managers, Business Managers, Operations Managers, Workforce Leads and other operational leaders in GP Practices who want to develop critical management capabilities and support professional progression.
For further information watch the Information Video
Click here for more detail and to express interest. -
- GP Practice Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Apprenticeship (Level 3) An opportunity for those in GP practices looking to develop skills in patient engagement, personalised care, and health promotion, while helping to reduce health inequalities and support community wellbeing.
For Care Coordinators, Social Prescribing Link Workers, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, Patient Navigators, and other non-clinical, patient-facing roles who want to build confidence, capability, and career progression in preventative, person-centred care.
For further information watch our Information Video
Click here for more detail and to express interest. -
GP Practice Business Administration Apprenticeship (Level 3)
An opportunity for those in GP practices looking to develop skills in administration, patient services, and practice operations, while helping to improve patient experience and support efficient service delivery.
For Receptionists, Administrators , Administration Managers, Care Coordinators and other non-clinical staff seeking to build confidence, capability, and progress their careers in primary care administration and operational support.
For further information watch our Information Video
Click here for more detail and to express interest.
NURSING ASSOCIATE APPRENTICESHIP
A Student Nursing Associate (SNA) Apprenticeship is a valuable opportunity to support and develop the future nursing workforce. By engaging with the programme, you can help bridge the gap between Healthcare Support Workers and Registered Nurses, enhancing patient care and workforce sustainability.
Click HERE to learn more
REGISTERED NURSE DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP
DEADLINE HAS BEEN PASSED FOR THIS OFFER. A NEW COHORT WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH US.
We are really excited to offer 3 funded places for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) across NEL. This is a fantastic opportunity for existing Nursing Associates to progress their career and in 2 years gain NMC registration as a Registered Nurse.
The curriculum designed to meet the needs of the changing health and social care environment will enable the RNA to develop their resilience and create the culture and conditions for health and care services and staff, to deliver the highest standard of care.
The Nursing ‘Top Up’ Degree Apprenticeship will progress from a RNA to a Registered Nurse (RN) with the ability to assess, plan, provide and evaluate evidence nursing care for patients experiencing a wide range of conditions.
For more information and to download the form click here.
Please share your expression of Interest with Mary Marsh – Programme Manager (NEL Training Hub) via mary.marsh4@nhs.net.
HEALTHCARE SUPPORT WORKER APPRENTICESHIPS
The cohorts are being run every month
Barking, Havering And Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust is excited to offer Healthcare Support Worker and Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeships, designed to help individuals develop the skills and confidence to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.
The Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship is ideal for those new to healthcare, covering essential clinical duties such as monitoring vital signs and supporting individuals’ comfort and wellbeing.
The Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship builds advanced skills and offers specialist pathways including Adult Nursing, Maternity, Mental Health, Children and Young People, Allied Health, Theatre, and Diagnostic Imaging.
Both programmes combine on-the-job learning with monthly workshops, guided by an education coach, and include completing the Care Certificate standards (if not already achieved).
They run cohorts every month!
To join an information session, please email: bhrut.apprenticeships@nhs.net
There are over 90 apprenticeship standards available to healthcare staff. Explore the full range of healthcare apprenticeships