How apprenticeships work
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a real paid job with study.
You can start an apprenticeship at any point and age within your career, but you must be at least 16 or over, not already be in full-time education and live in England.
As an apprentice, you’ll:
- be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay.
- work alongside experienced staff
- gain job-specific skills
- get time for training and study related to your role (at least 6 of your normal working hours depending on how many hours that you’re contracted to work each week)
A parent/carer guide to apprenticeships
If you are looking for more information about apprenticeships for your child. You may find the document below helpful.
A Parent/Carer's Guide to Apprenticeships (449kB)
Apprenticeship Levels
Apprenticeships range from level 2 to 6 (Degree) and have equivalent educational levels. Apprenticeships can take 1 to 5 years to complete depending on their level and subject and some apprenticeships may also give you an additional qualification, such as a diploma.
Intermediate
Apprenticeship Level 2
Equivalent Educational Level – 5 GCSE passes at grades A* to C or 9 to 4)
Examples of roles these equate to include healthcare support worker, healthcare science assistant, finance assistant, passenger transport driver.
Advanced
Apprenticeship Level 3
Equivalent Educational Level – 2 A Level passes or a Level 3 diploma
Examples of roles these equate to include senior healthcare support worker, ambulance support worker, business administrator, pharmacy technician.
Higher
Apprenticeship Levels 4, 5 and 6
Equivalent Educational Level – Foundation degree and above
Examples of roles these equate to include nursing associate, mammography associate, dental technician, business analyst.
Degree
Apprenticeship Level 6
Equivalent Educational Level – Bachelor Degree
Examples of roles these equate to include nurse, podiatrist, dietician, manager, advanced practitioner, accountant.
For level 7 apprenticeships, please be advised that funding restrictions apply: changes to level 7 apprenticeship funding
Apprenticeships in the NHS
The NHS has so much to offer! Did you know that you can do an Apprenticeship in all of these different clinical and non-clinical subjects?
For a full list of all of the current Healthcare Apprenticeship subjects available, please visit the Skills England website:
Search ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships at Alder Hey
To date, over 320 staff members at Alder Hey have signed up to take an apprenticeship which is supporting us with plugging skills gaps and workforce planning!
Please visit NHS Jobs for all current apprenticeship vacancies with Alder Hey:
NHS JobsApprenticeship Stories
Here, we’ve provided you with some success stories the managers who have supported our apprentices here at Alder Hey:
Please visit our guides and apprenticeship pathways below for further information:
How to apply for NHS jobs (1MB)