Consider an apprenticeship in the NHS

Applying for an apprenticeship

Browse apprenticeships by your postcode and area of interest.

You will need to sign in/create an account on GOV.UK to complete your application.

If you need help or would like to get some documents to help support your application, visit the National Careers Service.

On-programme stage

This is your time to learn and develop and will cover all the knowledge, skills, techniques and behaviours of the job you’re studying. You will also learn everything you need to know to pass your assessment and get your qualification.

An integral part of this stage is called off the job training. This is your entitlement to have at least an average of six hours of learning weekly during working hours.

It may or may not have a qualification at the heart of this stage, but an apprentice will follow a programme of study that has been designed by an employer group called trailblazers. 

• If there is a qualification involved, you must learn, practice, and demonstrate what you have learnt to an assessor specialising in the subject.
• If there is not a qualification involved, you must still learn, practice, and demonstrate to an industry expert what you have learnt.

Ready for your assessment?

When you have achieved everything in the learning stage, including thoroughly practised all required skills and proven ready to take the End-point Assessment (EPA).

The decision that you are ready for the EPA will be agreed between, you, your employer, and the training provider. You won’t be put forward for the EPA until all the on-programme criteria has been achieved.

Your training provider will organise the EPA for you and choose the most relevant provider for you, so this isn’t something you need to worry about.

You must also achieve the appropriate level of Maths and English qualifications before the EPA can be booked.

Your assessment

Your EPA will be managed by an End-point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) who will ensure it is fair and reliable. Your assessment will take place at an approved venue by an assessor sent by the EPAO.

As the provider is chosen by your training provider it should be near to you.

The EPA is conducted under strict exam conditions by an apprenticeship assessor and will be graded. The training provider and the employer will not be present during the EPA.

You will not be given the results on the day of the EPA. The results, and accompanying report, will be made available within 14 days of the EPA to the training provider.

• If you pass with either a pass or above grade, the EPAO will then claim the apprenticeship certificate directly from the Institute for Apprenticeships. The certificate will be sent directly to the employer who will present them to you.
• If you fail you can re-sit after 28 days. The report provided by the Apprenticeship Assessor will show you the areas that you need to work on to pass next time.

What happens next?

You could be offered a permanent job. Most successful apprentices stay working for the same employer. It's always a good idea to check whether you'll be offered a job at the end of your apprenticeship when you start.

You could continue your studies through an apprenticeship at higher level or you may want to go to university.

Have a look at how apprenticeships compare to other qualifications, on UCAS’ equivalence table.