What Are Apprenticeships

APPRENTICESHIPS IN THE TRUST – information for managers

What are apprenticeships?

Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications. In the NHS, primarily but not exclusively, they can be used to develop staff in Agenda for Change Bands 1 to 4.

Apprenticeship Framework Qualifications are available for existing staff, but they can also be utilised to encourage and recruit new staff into the Trust.

Apprenticeships can bring a range of benefits to an organisation:

 A well qualified, highly skilled and motivated workforce that meets the needs of existing and new patient pathways and service models, it can assist with role redesign.

 Attract talented people of all ages, apprenticeships can be undertaken by people from 16 years of age until retirement age.

 Greater staff retention through increased engagement and motivation, enhancement and recognition of skills.

 Improved productivity and performance, ultimately benefiting patients and service delivery.

 A long-term, ongoing solution to developing skilled staff, apprenticeships can be used as a route of progression to access under graduate studies.

 A good way to engage with local communities and boost local economy, encouraging local people into our organisation, working with local training providers. Who are they for?

Anyone who is a resident in the UK, over 16 and not in full-time education and are eligible to work in the UK, can apply for an apprenticeship. There are three levels of apprenticeships available, depending on the pre-existing qualification levels of a candidate:

 Intermediate level apprenticeships (equivalent to five good GCSE grades A*-C)

 Advanced level apprenticeships (equivalent to two A-level passes)

 Higher level apprenticeships (equivalent to a foundation degree) What Apprenticeships are available?

There are nearly 200 different types of apprenticeships across the economy as a whole; many of them are relevant to the NHS, such as:

 Administration, IT and customer service,

 Team leading and management

 Catering/Hospitality Services. Most job roles in the NHS will have a relevant apprenticeship framework available to underpin the development of staff in that role. In addition to the general frameworks there are also apprenticeship frameworks specific to the Healthcare environment:

 Healthcare Assistant

 Physiotherpay Assistant or Technician

 Porter What is included in an Apprenticeship Framework?

 A work based competence qualification – an Award, Certificate or Diploma on the Qualification Credit framework (QCF) similar to an NVQ

 A technical certificate – the underpinning knowledge and theory element

 Functional Skills – Numeracy, literacy, communications and IT skills relevant to the level of the apprenticeship.

 Employee rights and responsibilities – for example, Health & Safety, policies and procedures, employment rights. Trust Induction covers a lot of these topics. What is the time commitment?

The training period for an apprenticeship can be as little as 12 months, for the more complex apprenticeships it can be 3 years. Many qualifications require minimal time out of the work place, with an assessor from the training provider arranging to visit and observe the member of staff doing the job.

There is also a need for some time to discuss work that is produced, ask questions to check understanding and action plan. Some qualifications require attendance at workshops to provide theoretical input, some require weekly attendance at collage, some are tested using formal exams. The time out of the workplace will be advised by the training provider before the apprentice commences.

How much does the training cost?

This is dependent on two factors; age and the level of previous qualifications. For 16 – 18 year olds full Government funding is available, for the majority of other staff funding for training may be available, for further information contact HR.

How can I employ someone doing an Apprenticeship?

Speak to HR in the first instance. You will need to establish that there is a post and you are able to commit the time to supporting an apprentice through their training. This post could be an existing vacant post or a new post.

Once you have establied the post could be filled by an apprentice you will need a job description that includes the relevant qualification and skills that will be worked towards and makes clear the need to undertake the training. HR can help you with this and the job description will be banded in the usual way.

You will need to liaise with finance regarding the costs involved and raise a VRF for the recruitment team. You will also need to write an appropriate advert – the recruitment team can help you with this.

The recruitment team will advertise the vacancy on NHS Jobs and the training provider will advertise on the National Apprenticeship website, signposted to NHS jobs. The training provider will support the process of selection and take part in the interviewing. Once selected the usual recruitment checks will take place and the apprentice is employed.

Once in place you and your new apprentice will be supported in their learning by the training provider and will meet regularly to review progress.

Existing staff: Members of existing staff can access Apprenticeship framework qualifications without being an ‘apprentice’. They remain on their usual terms and conditions and rate of pay. Although there is no automatic pay increase awarded for gaining a qualification, evidence of recent study does improve the opportunities for promotion.

Who to contact:

To discuss introducing new apprenticeships and funding:

Gina Billington, HR Manager, 01743 277651 or [email protected]

For help with recruiting apprenticeships:

Jenna Williams, Recruitment Lead, 01743 277651, [email protected]

Gina Billington, HR Manager, 01743 277651 or [email protected]

Useful websites -

NHS Employers: www.nhsemployers.org

Skills for Health: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

National Apprenticeship Service: www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Local Training Provider: Telford College of Arts & Technology: www.tcat.ac.uk

Other training providers may provide suitable apprenticeship routes for qualifications not available through TCAT; please contact the Recruitment Team in the first instance.