Apprenticeships, traineeships and cadet schemes
Apprenticeships offer a route into hundreds of different NHS careers through a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning.
Find out about what's on offer and how you can use your apprenticeship to help others.
Key facts and figures
- apprenticeships can take anything from one to five years to complete depending on the level and the employer
- they are open to anyone from the age of 16
- apart from learning in the workplace, you may go on day or block release to a training centre or college
- you work towards a competence qualification (based on what you can do in the workplace) and a knowledge qualification, or a qualification combining both elements
- you will develop your skills, including English and maths
- if you are aged 16 to 18 or 19+ and in your first year of an apprenticeship, you should receive at least the National Minimum Wage for apprentices (£4.15 an hour as at April 2020). Otherwise you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage rate for your age. Many employers pay well over the minimum.
Four levels
Apprenticeships are available at four levels:
- Intermediate apprenticeships - follow work-based learning towards level 2 – equivalent to GCSEs level/level 2 qualifications
- Advanced apprenticeship - follow work-based learning towards level 3 – equivalent to A-levels/level 3 qualifications
- Higher apprenticeships - follow work-based learning towards levels 4,5,6 & 7 – equivalent to a foundation degree and above
- Degree apprenticeships - follow work-based learning towards levels 6 & 7 – equivalent to a full bachelor’s or master’s degree
Entry requirements
Employers will want to make sure that you can cope with the level of the work involved. So the entry requirements will depend on the employer and the type and level of apprenticeship.
For instance, for direct entry to an Advanced Level Apprenticeship, you may need four or five GCSEs at grades 9-4/A-C or equivalent, sometimes including particular subjects. You may be expected to take an entry test. To start a higher apprenticeship you are likely to need a qualification at level 3 or sufficient experience.
Types of apprenticeships
There are hundreds of different jobs covered by apprenticeships. Examples of apprenticeships in health and care include:
- Allied Health Profession Support (Advanced Level)
- Apprentice ambulance practitioner (level 4)
- Care, Leadership and Management (level-5 Higher Apprenticeship)
- Dental Nursing (Advanced Level)
- Informatics (Intermediate and Advanced Level)
- Health and Social Care (Intermediate and Advanced Level)
- Healthcare science assistant (Intermediate - level 2)
- Maternity and Paediatric Support (Advanced Level)
- Nursing degree apprenticeships
- Operating department practice degree apprenticeship
- Pharmacy services assistant (level 2)
- Podiatry degree apprenticeship
Other apprenticeships offered by organisations that provide NHS healthcare are suitable for work with other types of employers too, such as those in construction, facilities, business administration, logistics and management.
See our handy PDF for examples of the types of available apprenticeships in health. And look out for the 'A' icon when exploring the various roles on this website to see which ones can be entered through an apprenticeship.
Find out more and apply
There’s often tough competition for apprenticeship places. In your application and interview you need to show that you are committed, aware of your responsibilities and able to cope with the work and study. Our career planning section has lots of information on applications, interviews etc.
There has never been a better time to start an apprenticeship and applying is easy. Apprenticeship vacancies may also be found on the NHS Jobs website and you can find some live vacancies below.
You can take a look at the 'Choose an Apprenticeship' Video produced by the National Skills Academy for Health. And check out the different healthcare apprenticeship career routes on the Skills for Health website.
Next steps after an apprenticeship
After completing an apprenticeship, you may be offered a permanent job. Most successful apprentices stay in employment, often with the same employer. Check whether you are likely to be offered work at the end of your programme.
Ask whether there are opportunities for promotion when you have completed your apprenticeship and whether you will be able to continue with your studies. You can often progress from one level of apprenticeship to another. Some apprenticeships provide you with the qualifications you need to go to university.
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