What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprentice is a new or existing employee who undertakes training, alongside colleagues, to gain ‘on the job’ experience to develop the knowledge and skills to do their job.
An apprentice will also attend ‘off the job’ training, with a recognised training provider, to help them study to achieve a vocational qualification, usually at Level 2 and/ or Level 3, although Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLAs), at Level 5, are also available for staff in more senior job roles.
For more information, see below links:
Health and social care – level 2 apprenticeship framework | nidirect
Health and social care – level 3 apprenticeship framework | nidirect
Higher Level Apprenticeships | nidirect
Who can become an apprentice?
To become an apprentice, a staff member will need to meet the below criteria:
- have reached the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland (16 years)
- be employed or be about to take up paid employment in Northern Ireland
- be working a minimum of 21 hours per week on a permanent contract
- meet all the entry requirements of your chosen apprenticeship (for example some apprenticeships will require you to have GCSEs)
What are the benefits of recruiting an apprentice?
The main benefits of recruiting an apprentice are outlined below:
- You can train your staff your way – apprenticeships help you to develop skilled employees to meet the needs of your business
- Financial support – apprenticeships attract government funding to cover the cost of ‘off the job’ training
- Staff learning and development – apprentices work while studying to gain relevant vocational qualifications; they earn while they learn
- Growth – apprentices are motivated, bring new ideas for progressive ways of working and support a culture of growth and development; you grow your talent from within
To find out more about apprenticeships, follow the below link:
Apprenticeships explained | nidirect
More information for employers:
Apprenticeships: delivering work-based training and qualifications to employees | nibusinessinfo.co.uk