With growing competition across the health sector to recruit people to replace a rapidly aging workforce, there is now an increasing need to attract younger individuals and to upskill existing staff.
Health Employers
Health employers are getting involved by offering young people the opportunity to see how rewarding and challenging a health career can be as well as seeing the benefits of this training for their existing staff.
There are obvious benefits for young people who have much earlier access to a range of occupations and opportunities in the health sector. Skills for Health has developed an extensive Employer's Guide on Health and Social Care Apprenticeships outlining all aspects of offering apprenticeships in the health sector including the types of models, case studies, funding and the benefits.
For Young People
Apprenticeships offer a valuable training, working and learning opportunity. If you are interested in a career in health download our information leaflet on Apprenticeships in the Health Sector.
Skills for Health is helping develop a workforce of the future through its post age 16 apprenticeships and Young Apprenticeships (for 14-16 year olds). Partnerships with awarding bodies and employers are already showing results with successful qualifications based on workplace and applied learning.
Apprenticeships in England and Wales are,generally available to 16 - 25 year-olds in England and to all ages in Wales. In 2006 alone more than 4,000 people were awarded apprenticeship certificates in Health and Social Care, Pharmacy Support, Dental Nursing and Support Services. These apprentices now have an excellent foundation for their chosen careers in the health sector.
An exciting development in England is the Young Apprenticeships which allows pupils at Key Stage 4 to study for vocational qualifications both in the classroom and the work-pace.
Apprenticeship schemes across the UK vary in name, qualification requirements and funding . In Scotland, there is no Foundation Modern Apprenticeship although a scheme called Skillseekers is available for 16-18 year olds and an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship is available which includes the SVQ and 5 Core Skills. And with Northern Ireland the Pharmacy Support Framework and the Health and Social Care are available as a Traineeship/Modern Apprenticeship.
Higher Education
For more information for young people wanting to move into higher education or for higher education establishments thinking of offering apprenticeships, please click here.
Want to know more?
Contact qualifications@skillsforhealth.org.uk
