Apprenticeship FAQs

1. Where do I find out more about apprenticeships?

England:

  • The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) document is statutory and was published in January 2011. This governs what must be included within apprenticeship frameworks in England and how the apprenticeships must be named, delivered, what (if any) alternative qualifications may be used in place of those detailed in the framework, details regarding Key and Functional Skills, Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR), Person Learning and Thinking skills (PLTS) and Guided Learning Hours (GLH) etc. The associated guidance document may also be useful.
  • A full list of apprenticeships available for use in England can be found on Apprenticeship Frameworks on-line (AFO) website. The individual framework documents detail what types of role learners may be employed in, give background regarding the sector, list the component qualifications, duration, specific detail re Key and Functional skills, ERR, PLTS and Guided Learning Hours etc.

    AFO website searching tip: To bring up all the apprenticeships developed specifically for use in the health sector type in 'health,' tick the 'current frameworks' box and tick 'Skills for Health' and 'Skills for Care and Development'. You can also search for non-health related apprenticeships on this site eg business and administration, cleaning etc by changing your search criteria accordingly.

  • National Apprenticeship Service website may also be useful.

Wales:

  • The draft Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW) document will become statutory and is due to be formally published in the summer of 2011. This will govern what must be included within frameworks for Wales and how the apprenticeships must be named, delivered, what (if any) alternative qualifications may be used in place of those detailed in the framework details regarding Essential Skills Wales, Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR), Wider Key Skills, on and off the job learning etc.
  • A full list of apprenticeships available for use in Wales can be found on Apprenticeship Frameworks On-line (AFO) website. The individual framework documents detail what types of role learners may be employed in, give background regarding the sector, list the component qualifications, duration, specific detail Essential Skills Wales, ERR, Wider Key Skills, on and off the job learning etc.

    AFO website searching tip: To bring up all the apprenticeships developed specifically for use in the health sector type in 'health,' tick the 'current frameworks' box and tick 'Skills for Health' and 'Skills for Care and Development'. You can also search for non-health related apprenticeships on this site eg business and administration, cleaning etc by changing your search criteria accordingly.

  • Welsh Government website may also be useful.

Scotland:

  • Skills Development Scotland website has a list of frameworks available
  • A list of health frameworks can be viewed on Skills for Health's website.

Northern Ireland:

  • The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Northern Ireland (SASNI) is not yet published
  • The Department of Employment and Learning website has specific information for apprentices, employers and learning suppliers
  • A list of health frameworks can be viewed on Skills for Health's website.

2. What qualifications are included in an apprenticeship?

The attached document gives an overview of the different qualifications and workbooks required for each country and each type of apprenticeship framework. It also details the differences between frameworks during the transition from NVQ to QCF qualifications for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

3. Recognition of prior learning

Skills for Health does not advise on this – please contact your Awarding Organisation or centre directly.

4. Funding

Skills for Health does not advise on this. Please see below for organisations who may be able to help.

England: Skills Funding Agency website
Wales: Welsh Government website
Scotland: Skills Development Scotland website
Northern Ireland: Department for Employment and Learning website

5. Vacancies

Skills for Health does not advise on this. Please see below for useful links.

England:

Wales:

Scotland:

Northern Ireland:

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