APPRENTICESHIPS

Apprenticeships are a funded route for developing our workforce. Apprenticeships can be used to attract new recruits into the NHS or to develop existing employees within their current role or into new roles to underpin service development and transformation.

Apprenticeships are underpinned by nationally agreed Apprenticeship Standards (these exist from Level 2 to Level 7). Some recognised qualifications are amalgamated into an apprenticeship programme e.g. Registered Nurse, Physiotherapist. Apprenticeships are available for employees of any age to enrol on. Funding for the training aspect of an apprenticeship is available through the Trusts Apprenticeship Levy.

Approaching 800 Apprenticeship Standards are available nationally, with more continually being developed and approved. Training Providers are approved to offer a specific qualification, the Trust has established relationships with some Providers to offer specific programmes.

To access the Apprenticeship funding there has to be significant new learning taking place. Training Providers will assess current skills and knowledge before enrolling a new learner onto an Apprenticeship programme.

An apprentice cannot access funding if they are undertaking another Apprenticeship or Government funded qualification or have a qualification in the same vocational subject at the same or a higher level. They must also have been resident in the UK for 3 years and eligible to work in the UK.

All apprenticeship programmes include a requirement to undertake 6 hours per week (based on 30+ hours contract) of working time training over the duration of the apprenticeship supported by their manager. It does not necessarily mean time away from the workplace. The training can be achieved in a variety of ways, day or block release at a training provider’s establishment, in-house training, learning new skills, e-learning, shadowing, manager/supervisor tuition, writing and researching assignments, etc.

For existing staff utilising the apprenticeship route the manager and prospective apprenticeship learner should ideally document through appraisal and record in the resulting Personal Development Plan (PDP). If discussed outside appraisal, the PDP must be updated.