Guidance for Employers on Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are employer led programmes. This starts from the initial stages of workforce planning and identifying which apprenticeship is required within the organisation, through to apprenticeship delivery and supporting the apprentice to achieve success.
We have collated key guidance for employers to consider when planning for an apprenticeship through to delivery.
Off-the-Job Training Requirements
Apprenticeships are a training programme through combined practical on-the-job training and classroom-based learning.
From August 2025 under new funding rules the government is moving away from the blanket off-the-job requirement which was 6 hours per week or 20 % of apprentices working week. Instead, each apprenticeship standard will have its own published Off-the-Job requirement.
This requirement will be the minimum duration that the apprentice must spend off-the job during the programme. The publication of Off-the-Job hour requirement makes it clearer for employers to understand the study leave commitment of each programme.
Click the button below to see the number of off-the-job-training hours per apprenticeship standard.
Selecting the Apprenticeship Standard
There are 96 apprenticeships in Health and Science and nearly 700 apprenticeship standards across all 15 occupational routes – there is an apprenticeship available for nearly all of the 350 careers in the NHS. Apprenticeship standards have been developed to meet the needs of all employers.
We have collated the apprenticeship standards that are typically used in primary and adult social care environments - click the page below.
Selecting an Apprenticeship Provider
Selecting a suitable training provider is one of the key steps to apprenticeship success – it’s important to select a provider that works for both you as the employer and for your apprentice. We recommend all primary care employers to utilise the Salisbury NHS Procurement Framework when identifying and selecting an apprenticeship provider. See more information about the Salisbury Framework below and how the NCL Training Hub team can support.
What is the Salisbury Procurement framework?
The Salisbury Framework is an NHS-approved procurement framework that allows employers to select apprenticeship training providers. It simplifies the process of contracting with providers, ensuring they meet quality and regulatory standards.
Why use it?
We recommend that practices use the Salisbury Framework when selecting an apprenticeship provider. The framework provides assurance on quality of providers and enables organisations to arrange contracts with the apprenticeship providers that are covered under NHS terms and conditions.
How we can support you?
NCL TH can help facilitate this process and guide you through selecting an approved provider and completing the necessary documentation. You can view the full step-by-step process in this flowchart guide below. The framework is hosted on FutureNHS and you will need to log in to view this information.
If your practice is considering an apprenticeship programme and would like help using the framework, please email the NCL Training Hub Apprenticeship team and we'll guide you through the process: nclicb.nclthapprenticeships@nhs.net.
See the Framework Step by Step Process below
Apprenticeship Funding
The costs of training and assessment of apprentices can be fully funded by the government through the Apprenticeship Levy. We have produced a guide for primary care employers to explain what the levy is and how primary care employers can access levy funding making apprenticeships a cost effective option for training.
Employer Responsibilities
This guide outlines key responsibilities for employers and it's designed to ensure a successful apprenticeship experience for both the employer and the apprentice.
1. Provide a contract of employment:
Ensuring that the contact outlines the apprentice’s working hours, training schedule, and conditions
salary - pay the apprentice at least the national minimum wage for apprentices
ensure the apprentice has the same holiday entitlement as others
2. Provide ongoing support for the apprentice:
Ensure to help them to adjust to the workplace
Support the apprentice and line manager with work-related issues
3. Ensuring a safe and supportive working environment:
Health and safety compliance - guarantee that all necessary health and safety measures are in place for the apprentice's protection
Workplace equality - ensure that the apprentice is treated fairly and equally, promoting diversity and inclusion
4. Assessment and feedback:
Monitor and review the apprentice’s progress through formal assessments
Provide constructive feedback to help the apprentice improve in their role and achieve their qualification
5. Providing training and development opportunities:
Ensure the role helps the apprentice gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSB) they need to achieve the apprenticeship with support
Full-time apprentices should do a minimum of 6 hours ‘off the job’ training a week
Part-time apprentices ‘off the job’ training hours may vary but should make up at least 20% of their working hours
‘Off the job’ training should take place during regular working hours
6. Mentorship:
Encourage consistent communication between line managers and the apprenticeship training provider
Assign a supervisor or mentor to guide the apprentice through their learning and career progression
Planning workload to provide the necessary opportunities to complete practical tasks in line with training goals.
7. Facilitating End-Point Assessment (EPA):
Ensure the apprentice is prepared for the end-point assessment, which will determine whether they’ve met the required standards
Request apprenticeship support
If you are a primary or adult social care employer looking to use an apprenticeship within your organisation and would like to discuss further, please complete the form below and we will be in touch.
Useful Resources:
Apprenticeships can be utilised to resolve skills gaps within a workforce. They can provide development opportunities to existing members of staff or provide an opportunity to recruit externally and bring new talent into a workforce.
Some apprenticeship providers offer a free recruitment service to employers as part of the apprenticeship services they offer.
NCL Careers Hub and Health & Social Care Academy
In North Central London there is a free recruitment support service for health and social care employers called the NCL Careers Hub.
Their mission is to open up access to meaningful careers in health and social care by identifying individuals with the passion and potential to thrive in the sector—and supporting them every step of the way. They look to partner with health and care employers with live vacancies including apprenticeships - register here or email uclh.nclcareershub@nhs.net.
GOV UK service
If you wish to advertise your apprenticeship vacancies, attracting a wide pool of external candidates, you may wish to use the Hire an Apprentice GOV UK website.
- A Managers Guide to Health and Care Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeship Roles & Responsibilities
- Grow your Team - How to plan, recruit and develop apprentices