FAQs

Apprenticeships are a type of educational training program that provides individuals with hands on experience in a specific trade or profession.

They typically involve a combination of on the job training and classroom or online delivery. They can vary in length from several months to several years depending on the field.  

Apprenticeships are traditionally used in skilled trades such as construction, plumbing or electrical work.

However, for the past six years, the landscape of apprenticeship has completely changed. 

Apprenticeships can now be found in healthcare, IT, finance, management and leadership, business administration and many more fields. The goal of an apprenticeship is to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful professionals in their chosen field. 

Reach your goals

Apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity to learn on the job while also earning a wage.

It allows you:

• To reach for that career goal or new pathway
• the opportunity to earn while on the job
• work alongside professionals within that field and working across many different environments
• explore more opportunities that you would traditionally get through a nonapprenticeship route through education.   

Earn While You Learn One

While traditional university and college courses offer theoretical knowledge, apprenticeships provide hands on experience in the workplace.

This allows you to learn practical skills that are relevant to your chosen industry, and get a taste of what working in that field is like. You'll be able to work alongside experienced professionals, gaining valuable insights and advice that will help you grow in your career.

Earn While You Learn One of the biggest benefits of apprenticeships is that you'll be earning money while you learn. This means that you will not only avoid the debt that comes with university tuition fees, but you'll also be able to start saving for your future. Apprenticeships offer a real alternative to the traditional university route, especially for those who cannot afford to study full-time or do not want to take on debt.  

Help your progress in your career

Apprenticeships provide a clear path to career progression. You'll be able to start at the bottom and work your way up, gaining the skills and experience you need to take on more senior roles.

Many apprenticeship programs offer opportunities for further training and development, allowing you to take your career to the next level.

Industry Connections is another advantage of apprenticeships is the connections you'll make in your chosen industry. You'll be working alongside experienced professionals who can offer valuable advice and guidance, and you'll also be able to build a network of contacts that could help you in your future career. Many apprentices remain with the company they trained with for years after their apprenticeship has ended, moving up the ranks and taking on more senior roles.  

Personal development

Apprenticeships offer an opportunity for personal development. You'll be challenged to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities, which will help you grow as a person. You'll also gain confidence, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities which are all highly valued in the workplace. Apprenticeships offer a unique opportunity to learn on the job. They provide hands on experience, clear career progression and valuable industry connections.

If you're looking for a different path to a career, then consider an apprenticeship. It might just be the best decision you ever make. 

Apprenticeships are open to anyone aged 16 to 65

They are designed for individuals to gain practical experience within a role while studying for an accredited and recognised qualification.   

Apprenticeships are specific work based learning programmes that need to be related to the role that an individual is undertaking, be this a newly recruited to role or an existing one. The key to a successful apprenticeship is enabling an individual to gain new knowledge skills and behaviours during the term of the apprenticeship within their role.  

To be eligible for apprenticeship funding you must:  

• Be a resident of English for 3 or more years (exceptions can be made for individuals who hold indefinite right to remain)  
• Be contracted within the Trust to at least 30 hours a week (exceptions can be made if apprenticeship provision can support).  

Apprenticeships are a great way to gain hands-on experience and training in a specific trade or profession. They provide a pathway for individuals to develop the skills and knowledge they need to become successful professionals in their chosen field.  

There are over 700 apprenticeships currently approved for delivery by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and Department for Education (DfE) in the UK. These apprenticeships cover a wide range of industries and professions, from healthcare and education to business and technology. The list of approved apprenticeships is regularly updated and can be found on the government's apprenticeship website. www.instituteforapprenticeships.org  

Level 2 Apprenticeships  

Level 2 apprenticeships are equivalent to GCSEs and provide a foundation for individuals looking to start a career in a specific trade or profession. They typically last for around 12 to 18 months and involve a combination of on the job training and classroom instruction.  

Examples of level 2 apprenticeships include:  

• Healthcare support worker  

• Customer service practitioner.  

• Facilities Operative

Level 3 Apprenticeships  

Level 3 apprenticeships are equivalent to A-levels and provide more advanced training for individuals looking to progress in their chosen careers. They typically last for around 18-24 months and involve a higher level of responsibility and autonomy than level 2 apprenticeships.  

Examples of level 3 apprenticeships include:  

• Senior Health Care Support Worker 

• Data, IT Solutions and Support 

• Business Administrator  

• Team Leader Supervisor

• Catering, Chef, Facilities Management 

Level 4 and 5 Apprenticeships  

Level 4 and 5 apprenticeships are equivalent to foundation and undergraduate degrees respectively. They provide individuals with the advanced skills and knowledge they need to become experts in their field and often lead to management or leadership roles. These apprenticeships typically last for around 24 to 36 months and involve a high level of responsibility and autonomy.  

Examples of level 4 and 5 apprenticeships include:  

• Accounting and finance assistants  

• Digital and Communications  

• Operations and Team Management  

• Nurse Associate.  

Level 6 and 7 Apprenticeships  

Level 6 and 7 apprenticeships are equivalent to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and provide individuals with the highest level of training available for their chosen profession. These apprenticeships are designed for individuals who want to become experts in their field and often lead to senior management or leadership roles.  

Examples of level 6 and 7 apprenticeships include:  

• Senior Leadership  

• Advanced Clinical Practitioner  

• Digital, Finance and Technology Professionals  .

Yes, each apprenticeship standard has its own entry requirements. At a minimum you need to be working in a relevant job role to meet the learning outcomes of the apprenticeship.

Your employment contract must be of sufficient length to allow you to complete the apprenticeship. If you are on a fixed term contract you may not be eligible. Ideally you should be working 30 hours or more each week – if you are part-time we can discuss this with you.

If the apprenticeship is Level 4 or above, you need to have English and Maths at Level 2 this means GCSE A – C or 4-9. ‘O’ Level C or above or Functional Skills Level 2, Adult Literacy level 2, Adult Numeracy level 2. If you are unsure if your qualifications are suitable the apprenticeship team can check certificates for you.

No! Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers. We currently have over 400 staff on apprenticeship programmes from Level 2 Healthcare Support to Level 7 Advanced Clinical Practice and Level 2 Customer Service to Level 7 Senior Leader. There are apprenticeships for every occupation and job role and professional qualifications including degrees, professional registrations are embedded in the apprenticeship standards.   

The apprenticeship team run a monthly apprenticeship surgery.

These are informal virtual information sessions that will give you the opportunity to look at what is on offer and to be able to get more tailored advice to your needs.  Bookings can be made via the link above. Skills for Health is a very useful website.

You can apply for copies of old certificates if your exams were taken in or after 2001. Contact the apprenticeship team if this applies to you.

Through the Apprenticeship Levy we are able to fund both newly recruited Apprentices and existing members of your team through their course of study with no financial impact on teams or divisional finances.   

What is the Apprenticeship Levy scheme?

The Apprenticeship Levy is a tax on UK employers that was introduced in 2017. It was designed to increase the number of apprenticeships in the country and improve the quality of training available to apprentices.  

The levy is paid by all employers with a payroll of over £3 million per year. The amount paid is 0.5% of their annual pay bill, minus an allowance of £15,000. This means that only large employers pay the levy.  

The money collected from the levy is used to fund apprenticeship training and assessment. Employers who pay the levy can access the funds to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment, and they can choose the training provider they want to work with. Smaller employers who do not pay the levy can also access funding for apprenticeship training and assessment, but they need to contribute 5% of the cost of training, with the government covering the remaining 95%.  

Overall, the Apprenticeship Levy is designed to encourage more employers to offer apprenticeships and to improve the quality of training available to apprentices. It provides a dedicated fund for apprenticeship training and assessment, which can be accessed by employers of all sizes. 

How can I access this funding?

To access funding the individual should first discuss the apprenticeship with their line manager or the apprenticeship team. They will be supported to identify an apprenticeship standard that is relevant to their job role or career aspirations to find an approved training provider. Procurement of the training is the responsibility of the apprenticeship team.  

Once the Trust agrees to use the apprenticeship Levy funds to pay for the individual's apprenticeship training, the training provider will work with the employer to set up the apprenticeship and register the individual on the relevant apprenticeship standard. The training provider will then invoice the employer for the cost of the apprenticeship training and assessment, which will be paid for using the employer's levy funds. 

It's important to note that the availability of levy funds for an individual's apprenticeship training and assessment is ultimately at the discretion of the Trust. Please visit HR49 (apprenticeship policy) for procedures for accessing levy funds. It's important for individuals, teams and divisions discuss this with the Trust apprenticeship team before pursuing an apprenticeship.

Staff should not approach an apprenticeship provider directly. 

Funding and Mersey Care

The apprenticeship Levy within the Trust is managed and held by Organisation, Effectiveness and Learning (OE&L) as part of trust wide support services. 

This department of the Trust is tasked with the integration of apprenticeship into the workforce, working alongside divisional leads to maximise apprenticeship opportunities. As a ring fenced funding stream, the apprenticeship Levy enables us to do this, by being the only funding stream within the NHS organisation that can only be spent on study. This restriction guarantees that the allocated funding for the study can only be used for that purpose and cannot be mis-spent or otherwise utilised.

Furthermore more this ensures that no division within the Trust will need to pay for apprenticeship study for any apprentice regardless of their course of study.  The only financial implication that may impact on a division will be the salary and backfill costs of that apprentice.    

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Q: Why do I need to do maths and English? 

A: The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education require the apprentice to achieve approved math's and English qualification if not already achieved. Proof of achievement is required to gain exemption and to progress to End Point Assessment.

Q: I already hold a degree, why do I still need to do maths and English? 

A: Please see the trust apprenticeship policy.

Policies and procedures :: YourSpace Mersey Care HR49 Apprenticeship Policy

Q: I need to take my Maths and or English qualification, how do I do this? 

A:The trust can support you with this. Visit Section 5 of the Learning and Development Prospectus for details of the course and instructions on how to apply.

Learning and Development Prospectus - Course (merseycare.nhs.uk)

Only applications that have managers approval are processed. When you complete the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) form your manager will be sent an email with a link that will take them to the CPD form to approve your application. Once it has been approved your details are sent to the training provider who will then contact you directly to arrange enrolment and start date.

Q: If I have studied outside of the UK, Can my Maths and English Qualifications be used? 

A: For Apprenticeship study all qualifications studied outside of the UK can be matched to understand their equivalency.  However in some cases, the UK equivalent may be different to that studied outside of the UK. All matching is done on a case-by-case basis with the apprenticeship provider, inline with the Uk Government apprenticeship funding rules.   

Q:I applied for functional skills a while ago and have not heard anything. 

A:Only applications that have managers approval are processed. When you complete the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) form your manager will be sent an email with a link that will take them to the CPD form to approve your application. Once it has been approved your details are sent to the training provider who will then contact you directly to arrange enrolment and start date.

Q:My manager has approved my functional skills application but I haven’t heard anything.

A: The training provider contacts all applicants once there is a place available, this can take several weeks.

Q:What days are functional skills classes? 

A: There are several sessions running throughout the week virtually and there is also a face-to-face-class. The training provider will discuss class days and times during enrolment.

Apprenticeships General Entry Requirements are the minimum standards that an individual must meet in order to be eligible for an apprenticeship program in the United Kingdom. These requirements are set by the government and are designed to ensure that apprentices are able to successfully complete their training and contribute to the workforce.

The general entry requirements apprenticeships include:

1. Age: Individuals must be at least 16 years old to be eligible for an apprenticeship program. Some programs may have additional age requirements, so it's important to check the specific requirements for the program you are interested in.
2. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for most apprenticeships in England, but some programmes may require a certain level of education or qualification. All apprenticeships at level 3 and above require candidates to hold Level 2 English and Maths before they can complete the apprenticeship. Our trust policy requires staff to have achieved English and Maths and to be able to provide the evidence of this prior to enrolment on apprenticeships at level 4 or higher.  If you require reprints of qualifaction evidence please click HERE   
3. Residency: Apprenticeship programs in the England are typically only available to individuals who are legally entitled to work in the England. This means that individuals must be English resident, EU citizens, or have a valid work visa.
4. Skills and Qualities: Most apprenticeships require individuals to have certain skills or qualities, such as good communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team, and a willingness to learn. Some programs will require you to be based within an environment or role that directly relates to the Apprenitcship you wish to undertake. 
5. Availability: Apprenticeships require a significant commitment of time and effort, so individuals must be willing and able to dedicate themselves to the program. Some programs may also require individuals to be available for flexible working hours or to travel to different locations for training.

Q: What kind of business administration apprenticeships are available?

A: There are a variety of business administration apprenticeships available, including customer service, business administration, and team leading.

Q: What are the benefits of doing a business administration apprenticeship?

A: Business administration apprenticeships offer a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning, which provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while earning a salary. Additionally, apprenticeships can lead to nationally recognized qualifications and can provide a clear pathway for career progression.

Q: What qualifications do I need to start a business administration apprenticeship?

A: The qualifications required for a business administration apprenticeship will vary depending on the specific apprenticeship you are interested in. However, most business administration apprenticeships will require you to have a minimum of GCSEs in English and maths or Functional Skills Level 2.

Q: What kind of leadership and management apprenticeships are available in the England?

A: There are a variety of leadership and management apprenticeships available, including team leader, operations manager, Chartered Manager and senior leader.

Q: What are the benefits of doing a leadership and management apprenticeship?

A: Leadership and management apprenticeships offer a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning, which provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while earning a salary. Additionally, apprenticeships can lead to nationally recognized qualifications and can provide a clear pathway for career progression.

Q: What qualifications do I need to start a leadership and management apprenticeship?

A: The qualifications required for a leadership and management apprenticeship will vary depending on the specific apprenticeship you are interested in. However, most leadership and management apprenticeships will require you to have a minimum of GCSEs in English and maths or Functional Skills Level 2.

Q: What kind of project management apprenticeships are available in the UK?

A: There are a variety of project management apprenticeships available in the UK, including project manager, project coordinator, and project analyst.

Q: What are the benefits of doing a project management apprenticeship?

A: Project management apprenticeships offer a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning, which provides a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience while earning a salary. Additionally, apprenticeships can lead to nationally recognized qualifications and can provide a clear pathway for career progression.

Q: What qualifications do I need to start a project management apprenticeship?

A: The qualifications required for a project management apprenticeship will vary depending on the specific apprenticeship you are interested in. However, most project management apprenticeships will require you to have a minimum of GCSEs in English and maths Functional Skills Level 2, as well as some current ot prior experience in project management or a related field.

Q:What qualifications do I need to join the Trainee Nursing Associate Apprenticeship?

A:You will need:

• A level 3 qualification which holds 32 UCAS points or
• A Level 3 Healthcare qualification e.g. NVQ
• Level 2 or equivalent English
• Level 2 or equivalent  Maths
• Experience of caring.

Q:How do I get a Level 3 qualification in Healthcare? 

A:Staff are offered the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship route in order to gain the Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support. This is a fully funded course and you would remain in your job role with same terms and conditions.

You would need to be released from work for study one day a week so the first thing you would need to do is ensure your manager is able to support you at this time. 

We have attached the link to the apprenticeship standard, you will see there are 6 options within it and your job role will determine which is the best route for you – you can let us know.2023.09.25-ST0217-L3-Senior-Healthcare-Support-Worker-Standard.pdf (skillsforhealth.org.uk)