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Apprenticeships – information for individuals

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprentice is an employee employed for less than six months by their current employer, 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, you will need to meet the below criteria:

  • have reached the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland (16 years)
  • be about to take up paid employment in Northern Ireland or be employed by their current employer for less than 6 months
  • 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)

Why become an apprentice?

There are lots of benefits to being an apprenticeship but the main benefits are that you will:

  • be supported by your employer and training provider to attend training and study for a vocational qualification – earn while you learn
  • work alongside and be supported by experienced colleagues
  • have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills as a health and social care practitioner
  • be on your learning and development journey, as part of the Care in Practice Framework, supporting your career progression

Care in Practice Framework: A framework to support career progression for the social care workforce – NISCC

To find out more about apprenticeships, follow the below link:

Apprenticeships explained | nidirect

For more information:

Click here for more information about apprenticeships for employers.

Click here to learn more about apprenticeships and hear from an employer and an apprenctice.

If you have a question or want to know more, please email the workforce development team at: workforcedevelopment@niscc.hscni.net.