Apprenticeships - a bird's eye view

An apprenticeship is a job with training. It enables apprentices to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to perform effectively in a particular occupation. Apprenticeships must last a minimum of 12 months and include 20% structured off-the-job training before the end-point assessment (EPA) takes place, to develop competence in an occupation. The EPA takes place when apprentices have completed their on-programme training and is mandatory. The EPAs are undertaken by an independent assessment organisation, which must be on the Register of Apprentice Assessment Organisations.

Workplace Training + Academic Program + Assessment = Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can play a huge contribution to create the skilled and aspirational Healthcare Science workforce that our NHS requires. Apprenticeships are open to new recruits as well as existing staff. They provide new skills & knowledge hence offer opportunities for re-skilling and up-skilling the existing workforce as they move into new roles and therefore supports in career progression.

An apprentice can leave and join new organisations and can continue their program subject to support from the new employer. The new employer would need a prior discussion with their approved training provider to support the apprentice to continue where they left with the previous provider and employer.

There is no financial implication on employees as per general market trend. Employers pay to training providers on monthly basis, therefore payment to a training provider stops as soon as an employee leaves the organisation.

Information on a variety of Apprenticeship Standards available for Healthcare is available on HASO (Healthcare Apprenticeship Standards Online) website.