Apprenticeships in General Practice

One of the West Yorkshire ICBs top three workforce priorities is the expansion of high-quality apprenticeships, in response to the anticipated National Apprenticeship Policy and aligned to the apprenticeship ambitions in the NHS Long Term Workforce plan and the Adult Social Care Workforce strategy.

There are a number of apprenticeship pathways in General Practice covering both the clinical and the non-clinical workforce. Apprenticeships offer a multitude of benefits that make them a valuable and rewarding pathway for individuals seeking to have a career in healthcare. Some key advantages of apprenticeships include:

  1. Hands-on Learning
  2. Skill Development
  3. Earn While You Learn
  4. Mentorship and Guidance
  5. Career Progression
  6. Industry Recognition
  7. Networking
  8. Tailored Learning
  9. Smooth Transition to Employment
  10. Enhanced Confidence

In essence, apprenticeships offer a holistic learning journey that combines education, practical experience, mentorship, and financial stability, making them an advantageous route for individuals looking to enter, excel in, and contribute to their chosen industries.

Apprentices must be employed for a minimum of 30-hours per week and meet set standards in Functional Skills (Maths and English).

Access the GOV.UK ‘Becoming an Apprentice’ information.

If you need assistance you can visit GOV.UK to see how to register and use the apprenticeship service as an employer – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or you can call the apprenticeship helpline on 08000 150 600 for advice.

Health Care Assistant (HCA) Apprenticeship

 

You can find a list of providers here

Student Nursing Associate (SNA) Apprenticeship

To start your training as a Student Nursing Associate, you’ll need to have achieved GCSEs graded 9 to 4 (A to C) in both Maths and English, or you can opt for Functional Skills Level 2 in these subjects. You should also demonstrate your ability to study at a level equivalent to a foundation degree level 5 and commit to completing the Student Nursing Associate Apprenticeship program.

Many higher educational institutions will ask for you to achieve a level 2 qualification in literacy and numeracy before you start the program. The training and examination for Functional Skills are free for learners who don’t have GCSEs at grade C or above (or the equivalent) in Maths and/or English. You can find more information at this government link. Additionally, it’s important for you to show the core values and behaviours outlined in the NHS Constitution.

You can download a SNA Toolkit here

You can download confirmation of 2024/25 funding here. Student Nursing Associate (SNA) places are available to in general practice and primary care networks. Financial support includes a £8,160 employer grant per SNA and Apprenticeship levy funding up to £15,000.

Registered Nursing Degree (RND) Apprenticeship

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA) offers a flexible pathway to a nurse degree qualification, eliminating the need for full-time University attendance. Achieving RND apprenticeship requires you to secure an apprenticeship position with an employer. Your training will encompass diverse practical settings including hospitals, GP practices, private residences, and mental health facilities. While the majority of RNDA programmes span four years, it’s possible for this duration to be shortened through Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) if your past learning and experience are recognised. For instance, possessing a level 5 qualification such as the Nursing Associate Degree Apprenticeship will reduce your apprenticeship to two years instead of four.

To embark on an RNDA journey, a minimum of level 3 qualifications in both Mathematics and English are typically necessary. If you hold a level 5 qualification as a Nursing Associate or Assistant Practitioner, your apprenticeship may be referred to as a ‘top-up’ RNDA or a ‘conversion’ course to become a registered nurse. Opportunities for RNDA positions can be found on the NHS Jobs website and the Government’s Find an Apprenticeship website.

Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) Apprenticeship

The Advanced Clinical Practitioner apprenticeship is open to a wide variety of roles. Examples include:

  • Registered Nurses
  • Paramedics
  • Physiotherapists
  • Podiatrists
  • Dietitians
  • Pharmacists (must not already be undertaking a funded pathway e.g. CPPE)

The following West Yorkshire Universities offer the ACP Apprenticeship route:

  1. University of Bradford: https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/apprenticeships/advanced-clinical-practice-apprenticeship/
  2. University of Leeds: https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/ap11/advanced-clinical-practice-apprenticeship-msc
  3. Huddersfield University: https://courses.hud.ac.uk/part-time/postgraduate/advanced-clinical-practice-apprenticeship-msc
  4. Leeds Beckett University: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/courses/advanced-clinical-practice-msc/

Physicians Associate (PA) Apprenticeship

Ten higher education institutions (HEIs) have been approved to deliver Physicians Associate Degree Apprenticeship programmes, starting from September 2023. NHS England is implementing a national framework and leading on activities designed to support employers to access these quality assured Physicians Associate (PA) degree apprenticeship training programmes.  Employers interested in offering PA Apprenticeships are strongly encouraged to undertake workforce planning without delay and identify providers.

Further information about this programme of work can be found here: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/physician-associates

The apprenticeship standard and end point assessment have been developed with approval from The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Department for Education). Further information, including information on funding, other FAQs and up to date provider/course information can be found here: Physicians Associate Apprenticeship Programme

If you’d like to talk to a PA directly about the scope and potential of the role within your organisation, NHS England run a PA ambassador programme. These are experienced individuals working in primary and secondary care. Make contact in your area to see what ideas, advice and support they can offer.  Your West Yorkshire primary care PA Ambassador is Asad Khan – Asad.Khan@bradford.nhs.uk

Business Administration Apprenticeship

You can find a list of providers here

Operations or Departmental Manager Apprenticeship

You can find a list of providers here

Assistant Accountant Apprenticeship

You can find a list of providers here

Human Resources Support Apprenticeship

You can find a list of providers here

Customer Service Specialist Apprenticeship

You can find a list of providers here

DAS Account Setup and Apprenticeship Funding Reservations

The DAS Account Setup Guide can be downloaded here

The Funding Reservation Guide can be downloaded here

The 2023/24 Apprenticeship Funding Rules Guide can be downloaded here

NHS England Levy Transfer Service
NHS England operates an apprenticeship levy transfer service in the North East, Yorkshire & Humber that facilitates the transfer of funds from levy paying employers to non-levy to pay for apprenticeship training in primary care. If your practice plans to employ an apprentice, requesting a levy transfer via this service will mean you do not have to pay the 5% employer co-investment training cost as 100% of the apprenticeship training costs are covered via a levy transfer. The NHS England Levy Transfer Flyer can be downloaded here