Overview
Apprenticeships are for those aged 16 or over and combine working with studying to gain skills and knowledge in a job role. Apprentices can be new or current employees and across health and social care and there are programmes ranging from Level 2-Level 7 learning to assist with developing the workforce across primary care. For further info on NHS apprenticeships – NHS apprenticeships | NHS Health Careers
Benefits of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can benefit your workforce by: –
- “Growing your own staff” for future service needs (Nursing Associate/ Registered Nurse roles)
- providing you with a motivated and fast-developing workforce.
- contributing to retention of staff.
Apprentices:
- work with experienced staff
- learn skills relevant to their employing organisation
- get time for training or study during their working week (at least 20% of their normal working hours)
Employer’s need to provide:
- a safe work environment
- an induction which includes explaining relevant policies and procedures
- opportunities for the student to develop their technical skills within the clinical learning environment.
- 20% ‘Off-the-job’ training delivered by a training provider during your apprentice’s normal working hours.
- ‘On-the-job’ training and additional support from practice supervisors or mentors.
- Both employer and apprentice will need to have a signed apprenticeship agreement and an apprenticeship commitment statement from the learner and training provider.
Employment of Apprentices
Apprentices need to be employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week in order to meet the National Apprenticeship Standard. You can use the apprenticeship standard finder on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website to find further information:
Most apprentices are employed on full time hours e.g., 37.5 hours a week, however the minimum requirement under the standard is 30 hours per week. Funding for tuition fees is available through application (Apprenticeship Levy requesting) and your Training Hub can help you connect with these offers.
In terms of support and mentoring in the workplace, the apprentice will need a line manager/supervisor/work colleague to train them in the required skills and to supervise their work until they are considered competent in each work task. The benefits will be a low cost / high value employee who has been trained on site and knows exactly what is required of them. The Training Hub can provide further guidance and training on the needs. Contact Us | Suffolk & North East Essex Training Hub (sneetraininghub.org.uk)
Further information can be found Employing an apprentice: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
How is the Apprenticeship Funded?
Full government funding is available for an apprentice aged between 16-18 years old and where the employer employs less than 50 employees. Full funding is also available for apprentices aged 19 to 24 who have either been in care or has an education health care plan.
An employer contribution fee will be required for:
- Non-levy paying employers recruiting an apprentice aged 19 or over
- Non-levy paying employers who employ more than 50 employees and recruit a 16-18 year old apprentice
See the below guidance on setting up a DAS account