Apprenticeships at NCH&C - Build your future with us
Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to combine work and study, allowing you to gain practical experience while learning the skills you need to succeed in your chosen career. At NCH&C, we're passionate about our apprenticeship programme - not only because it helps people start or grow their careers, but because it's vital to building the skilled NHS workforce of the future.
Whether you're just starting out, switching careers, or looking to gain new qualifications to progress in your role, apprenticeships can open doors you might not have thought possible. And despite what many people think, they're not just for school leavers - there's an apprenticeship for almost everyone.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid role that blends hands-on work with structured training. You'll spend most of your time working alongside experienced colleagues and at least 20% of your time learning - whether that's in a classroom, online, or in dedicated training sessions. At the end, you'll have a recognised qualification and valuable experience that can help you move forward in your career.
We know there are lots of misconceptions about apprenticeships, so we've created resources to help explain what they are (and what they aren't), along with real stories from past and present NCH&C apprentices to show the range of opportunities available.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone! There's no upper age limit. Apprenticeships are ideal whether you're:
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A school leaver
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Returning to work
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Looking to change careers
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Wanting to progress in your current field
Entry Requirements
To apply for an apprenticeship at NCH&C, you'll need to:
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Be aged 16 or over and no longer in full-time education
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Have at least four GCSEs at grade D/3 or above, including English and Maths
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Not already hold a Level 4 or higher qualification in your chosen field
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Live in England
Still in school? You can apply if you'll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
Levels of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are available at different levels, making them accessible to a wide range of people:
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Level 2 (Intermediate): Equivalent to GCSEs
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Level 3 (Advanced): Equivalent to A Levels
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Levels 4-5 (Higher): Equivalent to a foundation degree
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Levels 6-7 (Degree): Equivalent to a Bachelor's or Master's degree
Some apprenticeships also include additional diplomas or specialist qualifications.
Pay and benefits
All NHS apprenticeships are paid positions. At NCH&C, you'll also receive:
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At least 27 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with service)
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NHS pension and employee benefits
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Unsocial hours payments (depending on your role)
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Paid training time as part of your working week
Training & study time
You'll spend at least 20% of your working hours on training, which might be:
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Weekly, monthly, or in blocks
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Delivered at work, online, or at college
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Provided by approved training partners
You'll get full information upfront about when and where your training takes place.
What Support Will I Get?
At NCH&C, you're not on your own. Support includes:
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A dedicated apprenticeship assessor/advisor
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On-the-job guidance from your line manager
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Protected learning time
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Pastoral care and wellbeing support
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Help with job applications and interviews from the Talent for Care team
Why choose an Apprenticeship with NCH&C
We believe in growing our own and have built a vibrant apprenticeship programme to develop the NHS workforce of the future. Our culture is supportive, open, and inclusive, and we're committed to helping every apprentice succeed. Many of our apprentices go on to secure permanent roles within NCH&C, often in the community health services that make our work so special.
When and how to apply
We run two main clinical apprenticeship cohorts each year, starting in March and September:
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Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker
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Level 5 Trainee Nurse Associate
We also offer apprenticeships throughout the year in areas such as nursing, Allied Health Professions (Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Occupational Health), Human Resources, Admin, IT, Finance, and more.
All our vacancies are listed on NHS Jobs and shared on our recruitment Twitter feed. If there's nothing suitable right now, you can register your interest online and we'll get in touch when an opportunity arises.
What Happens After an Apprenticeship?
Many apprentices are offered a permanent role when they finish. Others continue their studies with a higher-level apprenticeship or use their qualifications to go to university. At NCH&C, we'll help you prepare for your next step - whether that's with us or elsewhere in the NHS.
Some roles guarantee a permanent position at NCH&C upon successful completion, including:
- Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker
- Level 5 Trainee Nurse Associate
- Level 6 Nursing Degree
Top tips for your NCH&C apprenticeship application
Applying for an apprenticeship is exactly like applying for a job so you need to give it some proper thought. Here are our top tips to help your application stand out:
There are apprenticeships out there to suit every skill set. If you have done your research and decided that a career in healthcare is what you want, there are many different types and levels of apprenticeship you can do. If you would like to know more about the different apprenticeships we offer at NCH&C
Make sure that you research the apprenticeship you're applying for thoroughly. This is important for the application and the interview. Our helpful Talent For Care team are always happy to answer any questions you may have about our apprenticeships and the application process. Give us a call on 01603 272592 / 272593 or email: careerdevelopment@nchc.nhs.uk
Think about the different experiences, hobbies, and interests you have and how they relate to the skills and experience you need for the apprenticeship you are applying for. Always try to match your experience and skills to those the employer is asking for for in their job description.
Always adapt your application to the role you're applying for. Each application will need to be different, depending on the job description. Try to link your experience and skills with what they are asking for as part of the apprenticeship. For example, for a healthcare role you could talk about experience you have had in caring for someone.
Think about your top qualities. This can sometimes be tricky but it's important you know how to sell yourself. Teachers, friends, colleagues and family could help you to list your three top qualities.
Talk about what you're good at and why. Maybe you were the captain of the school team in which you had to develop leadership and teamwork skills, or you took on extra responsibilities in a job you had which showed initiative and enthusiasm to learn.
Application forms for apprenticeships are very similar to job applications so remember to give examples. If you say you are a good communicator you should be able to evidence it in - I was on the school council or I represented my team on a work forum
Proof read your application thoroughly and ask someone else to have a look too. It is important to not have spelling mistakes and typos. People may also think of things that you may have missed too.
For more useful information on apprenticeships see the links below:
Working in health - Health Education England
Get in touch
If you have questions or want to know more, our Talent for Care team would love to hear from you:
Email - careerdevelopment@nchc.nhs.uk
Phone - 01603 272593
Start your apprenticeship journey with NCH&C - and take the first step towards a career that changes lives.