If you are a substantive member of staff and considering an apprenticeship to further your knowledge, up skill or develop in your role the first step to take is to have an open discussion with your manager. Your manager will need to support your application and be able to clarify service development in your area.
Finding the right apprenticeship for you
Take a look at the apprenticeship directory or the Skills for health website which you can access via the linkhere. You will find more information regarding the apprenticeship standards, training providers, duration of the course and much more.
Apprenticeship qualification requirements
The current and prior qualifications accepted as meeting the minimum English and math's requirements for apprenticeships is at a level 2 and above. If you currently don't meet the requirements, ELHT offer Functional skills free of charge for all staff members, we recommend completing your English and math's before applying for an apprenticeship, however this can be done alongside your apprenticeship programme through your training provider.
If you require more information, would like advice and guidance on next steps the apprenticeship team are available to contact on - apprenticeships@elht.nhs.uk
Applying for an apprenticeship
To apply for an apprenticeship you must be in a substantive postandcomplete an expression of interest form. This form is to be completed by yourself and your manager. This can be requested from the apprenticeship team, once you have fully completed and returned your expression of interest form this will be taken to a monthly apprenticeship strategy meeting to be discussed with a board of senior staff members. The apprenticeship team will contact you on the outcome.
During your apprenticeship
Off and on-the-job training: An approved training provider will be selected who will organise and deliver your formal off-the-job training. Apprentices must spend at least 6 hours of their contracted hours on off-the-job training. However, they may need more than this, for example, if they need training in English and math's. It is up to the employer and training provider to decide how the off-the-job training is delivered. The employer will provide apprentices with the opportunity to practice new skills in the work environment. This is called on-the-job training and helps an apprentice develop the specific skills for the workplace. Apprentices should be supported by a line manager and/or mentor.
Review, Assessor and Pastoral visits
Review meetings: Within the first 10 weeks into your apprenticeship you will be expected to attend a meeting with your manager or mentor and the training provider. Review meetings are held at your place of work or online. The meeting is to set clear expectations for future review meetings and the apprenticeship. Review meetings will take place every 10-12 weeks for the duration of your apprenticeship programme this is to ensure development goals are being met, it is also an opportunity for you to discuss your progress, ask any questions and relay any worries or concerns you may have. All records of these meetings will be put on the apprentices e-portfolio.
Assessor visits: The assessor will visit you within your workplace to support and assess you whilst you are working towards your qualification. It's an assessor's job to ensure that apprentices meet the occupational standards required to achieve their qualifications. Many assessor positions involve both teaching and assessing.
Pastoral support: Here at East Lancashire Hospitals, we have an apprenticeship officer whose role is to offer pastoral support to all apprentices within the trust. The apprenticeship officer tracks learners progress by attending tracking and review meetings with the training provider to gain a greater understanding of the apprentices off-the-job learning and whether the apprentice is on track to completing their apprenticeship in a timely manner. The apprenticeship officer will contact apprentices on a regular basis to offer any additional support this can be on a face-to-face basis, over the phone or online. If you would like to speak with the apprenticeship officer, you can contact them by emailing -apprenticeships@elht.nhs.uk
Gate way and end point assessment
What is gateway? Gateway sits between the end of training and the beginning of the assessment period when the EPA will take place.
At gateway, the employer and training provider will review their apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours to see if they are ready to take their EPA. The gateway review takes place near the end of an apprenticeship to make sure the apprentice has completed the mandatory aspects of the apprenticeship and is ready to take their assessment. Apprentices must meet the gateway requirements set out in the assessment plan before taking their EPA.
End point assessment: End-point assessment (EPA) tests the knowledge, skills and behaviours that an apprentice has gained during their training. Unique to each standard, EPA demonstrates the competence of an apprentice in their role. This competence is valued by current and future employers.
Your end-point assessment is carried out by an independent organisation known as an end-point assessment organisation (EPAO).
How to prepare and what to expect Five top tips:
Refer to the grading criteria, like a checklist, to ensure the requirements are met
Manage your time so you are fully prepared for your EPA
Clearly communicate to the employer, training provider or mentor any concerns or support you need
Keep all work such as the e-portfolio safe and up to date
Practice makes perfect
Top tips for succeeding as an apprentice To get the most from your apprenticeship, we recommend that you follow the tips below. This will help you manage your responsibilities effectively.
Be clear about what you want to gain personally and professionally from your apprenticeship.
Make sure your line manager understands the requirements of your apprenticeship.
Check that you understand each component of your apprenticeship and how it will be assessed.
Ask for help when you need it! You can access support from the training provider as well as your line manager.
Keep on top of your workload from the start. Set weekly goals and note key deadlines and review meetings in your diary.
Stay focused on how you can apply your learning in the workplace.
Make the most of your meetings with your apprenticeship tutor - they are there to support you throughout the programme.
We offer a wide range of apprenticeships within the NHS, please click on the link below to be directed to the Apprenticeship directory.
All apprentices must have Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English before they are able to complete their apprenticeship. Functional skills is offered free of charge to all ELHT employees, for more information or to download an application form, Please click on the link below to be directed.
Please see below ELHT apprenticeship application process for exsisting staff. This process will offer you a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an apprenticeship.