Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships for Healthcare Assistants
One of the most comprehensive training packages available to those looking to work as HCAs, or to those wanting to train their employees as HCAs, is through the apprenticeship route.
What is the apprenticeship route?
Apprenticeships are paid job opportunities that deliver a training programme through combined practical on-the-job training and classroom-based learning. Apprenticeships are an excellent way for employers to grow their own talent by upskilling existing staff or through recruiting new staff into the workforce.
As an apprentice, you:
- are an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay
- work alongside experienced staff
- gain job-specific skills
- get time for training and study related to your role (at least 20% of your normal working hours).
Anyone undertaking an apprenticeship must be in employment and the apprenticeship must be relevant to their role.
Apprenticeships can be used to train existing employees or newly hired employees.
Typical eligibility criteria may vary from apprenticeship to apprenticeship and include*:
Evidence of Maths and English qualifications at GSCE grade level 9 to 4 ( grade A to C), Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent qualifications - NB as of February 2025, the requirement for functional skills qualifications for apprentices aged 19+ will now be determined by the apprentice's employer. Visit our functional skills page below for further guidance.
Aged 16+ at the time of enrolment (for health care based apprenticeships there's often a requirement of 18+ as minimum age)
Not already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment
Be one of the following:
a citizen of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), or have the right of abode in the UK, and have been ordinarily resident in the EEA (including other countries determined within the EEA or those with bilateral agreements), for at least the previous three years on the first day of learning;
OR a non-EEA citizen with permission from the UK government to live in the UK, (not for educational purposes) and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least the previous three years before the start of learning.
* Please check eligibility criteria for each individual apprenticeship programme you're considering.
Functional Skills
Please visit our functional skills page below for more information and to see how the NCL Training Hub can support.
Apprenticeships for HCAs are available at two levels:
HEALTH CARE SUPPORT WORKERLEVEL 2 DIPLOMA | SENIOR HEALTH CARE SUPPORT WORKERLEVEL 3 DIPLOMA |
GCSE equivalent; 12 months duration. This can be done stand alone or part of your Care Certificate. | A-level equivalent; up to 18 months duration |
This apprenticeship standard focuses on the core practical skills and underpinning knowledge and theory to gain competence, under clinical supervision, to be a healthcare practitioner in a GP Practice. | This apprenticeship is ideal for experienced HCAs who are ready to demonstrate best practice and act as role models in addition to accepting more responsibility and accountability. They may be required to act as a supervisor to other team members. |
Level 2 vs Level 3 - comparison of learning objectives
Read about each of the levels below.
Healthcare support worker (level 2)
An entry-level apprenticeship programme for new HCAs.
Qualification level | 2 Equivalent to GCSE |
Qualification gained | Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard Certificate |
Typical duration | 12-16 months |
Apprenticeship category | Health and science |
Cost | Can be fully funded via levy transfer |
About Level 2 apprenticeship
This apprenticeship is ideal for anyone looking to take their first steps into a healthcare support worker role. Your training will include safeguarding, health, safety & security, routine clinical checks, the importance of hydration, nutrition & food safety, end-of-life care, basic life support, legislation & policies, and promoting mental health & wellbeing in a wide range of clinical type settings. At the end of this training programme, you will also be awarded a Level 2 TQUK Diploma in Care.
Level 2 learning objectives
Undertake physiological measurements, selecting and using the correct tools or equipment
Communication
Personal and people development
Duty of care
Safeguarding
Person centred care and support
Equality and diversity
Dementia cognitive issues and mental health
Health intervention
Health and safety
Infection control
The Level 2 standard
View the Level 2 apprenticeship standard description.
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Training providers
There is a wide range of providers who deliver this apprenticeship. To view London-based providers, go to Training providers for Healthcare support worker (level 2). Make sure to apply the correct Apprenticeship location filter for relevant results.
For a Level 2 programme adjusted for general practice, view the offer from PMA below.
PMA: Healthcare Support Worker L2 apprenticeship offer
Level 2 apprenticeship focuses on the core practical skills and underpinning knowledge and theory to gain competence, under clinical supervision, to be a healthcare practitioner in a GP Practice.
Senior Healthcare Support Worker (level 3)
A more advanced and comprehensive training programme for HCAs, traditionally aimed at experienced HCAs who are ready to demonstrate best practice and act as role models in addition to accepting more responsibility and accountability.
Qualification level | 3 Equivalent to A level |
Qualification gained | Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard Certificate |
Typical duration | 24 months |
Apprenticeship category | Health and science |
Cost | Can be fully funded via levy transfer |
About level 3 apprenticeship:
You will develop your knowledge in key areas such as Duty of Care, diversity and inclusion, communication, safeguarding, championing health and wellbeing. You will learn to provide supervision, frontline leadership, guidance, and direction for others, working autonomously, and exercising judgement and accountability. At the end of this training programme, you will also be awarded a Level 3 TQUK Diploma in Adult Care.
Level 3 standard
View the Level 3 apprenticeship standard description here.
Learning objectives:
Health and Wellbeing
Act within the limits of own competence
Person centres care, treatment and support
communication
Personal People and quality improvement
Health, Safety and security
Leadership
Contribute to quality of services
Option 1- SHCSW Adult nursing support) undertake delegated nursing care and support
for adults.
Mandatory and optional 10 Diploma L3 Units
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Training providers
There is a wide range of providers who deliver this apprenticeship. View London providers.
For a Level 3 programme adjusted for general practice, we recommend reviewing the offer from PMA below.
PMA: Senior Healthcare Support Worker L3 apprenticeship offer
Level 3 apprenticeship focuses on the core practical skills and underpinning knowledge and theory to gain competence, under clinical supervision, to be a healthcare practitioner in a GP Practice.
Apprenticeship training providers
There is a wide range of training providers who deliver Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships for HCAs.
To view all approved London-based providers, go to Training providers for Healthcare support worker (level 2). Make sure to apply the Apprenticeship location filter for relevant results.
Although the apprenticeship standard is designed to reflect the learning objectives of HCAs working in every health care setting, many training programmes focus on developing skills relevant to secondary care/acute.
For a training programme specifically developed for HCAs based in general practice, review the offer from PMA.
Level 2 - PMA: Healthcare Support Worker L2 apprenticeship offer
Level 3 - PMA: Senior Healthcare Support Worker L3 apprenticeship offer
Request apprenticeship support
Whether you are a primary or adult social care employer looking to use an apprenticeship within your workforce or if you are an employee who's interested in completing an apprenticeship - please complete one of the forms below and the NCL Training Hub Apprenticeship team will be in touch.
- Submit an Expression of Interest form if you are an employer/manager
- Submit an Expression of Interest form if you are interested in doing the apprenticeship