Health & Social Care
What is an Apprenticeship?
An Apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed to develop your prospects and career in the industry. This career could be for you if you like giving physical and emotional support to people of any age and ability. It’s challenging, but rewarding and you’ll receive training whilst you are employed in your chosen area of care. These include nursing homes, day centres, domiciliary care, care agencies and residential establishments including schools and specialised services. However, due to constraints placed on these establishments it is unlikely you will be able to gain employment as a carer before you are 18 years old.
As well as genuinely caring for and respecting others, you need to have good communication skills and be able to work as part of a team and also be able to use your initiative and work unsupervised. Having a good sense of humour will help too! You’ll also need to be willing to work flexible hours and have a real eagerness to learn.
How do I find an Apprenticeship?
The first thing you need to do is to find a job. Apprenticeships are work-based which means you need to be employed before you can start your training.
There are many places you can go to find a job; Connexions, local papers, internet job sites, and Job Centre Plus. You can even try friends and family to see if they know anybody who may have a vacancy.
Once you have gained employment contact Total People!
What happens then?
Total People will send one of their Training Advisers out to you. They will sit down with both you and your employer to arrange your learning plan.
Your Training Adviser will support you in the workplace, visiting you regularly on a one-to-one basis.
How long will it take?
The time taken to complete your NVQ depends upon you; how quickly you want to do it. However it normally takes around 12 months to complete.
You will also complete a Technical Certificate, again your Training Adviser will offer you one-to-one support at your workplace. This again will take around 12 months to complete.
The other element of your Apprenticeship, Key Skills, takes around 12 months to complete, but again is dependant upon you!
Completing your Apprenticeship
Your Health & Social Care Apprenticeship is made up from 3 core elements;
- NVQ – Health & Social Care
- Technical Certificate – Certificate in Health & Social Care
- Key Skills – Communication and Application of Number
Your NVQ portfolio is like a work diary, it records your activities and experiences. Your portfolio is assessed to make sure you are competent. Your work will be assessed at your place of work.
The Technical Certificate is theory based and links into some of the things you need to do in your NVQ.
Key Skills are similar to Maths and English GCSEs however learning is focussed around Health & Social Care; for example, you will learn how to calculate the cost of equipment and how to make your proposal to your manager.
Further Progression
Being qualified will open many doors to you. You will be able to show your employer that, along with being qualified, you have also shown commitment, dedication and professionalism. This could lead to promotion, higher rates of pay, or managerial opportunities.
You will be trained to a nationally recognised standard, which will give you improved employability within the Care Sector, including the opportunity to apply for senior positions. You may also choose to progress into other care related careers including Paramedics, Nursing, Care Management and Social Work.
