Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are designed to help employers build a workforce with future ready skills and individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. They can be used for current staff development and to recruit and develop new staff.

On this page you will find apprenticeship options, webinars and events, funding information, updates and links to resources. You can also explore how we support individual applications, as outlined in our Apprenticeship Process Guide

If you have any questions please contact the Lancashire and South Cumbria Primary Care Training Hub (L&SCPCTH) Apprenticeship Team on [email protected]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Apprenticeships are Employer-led programmes. The contractual relationship is between the employer and the education provider. L&SC PCTH provide support to Primary Care Employers with regard to:

Representation of Primary Care apprenticeships at a strategic level for procurement/funding opportunities/levy sharing/ICB priorities
Reporting at regional/national levels
Promotion of Primary Care roles/apprenticeships.

We also support individual applications and provide advice on queries and issues. Please see our Apprenticeships Process Guide for more information.

Access the Apprenticeships Comparison Tool Here

For Course Options, Information and How to Apply

Apprenticeship News and Events

ACP Training Grant Sep 2025 – March 2026 is now open for applications

The NHSE NW ACP Training Grant is to support employers and relates to intakes between September 2025 – March 2026 (traditional or apprenticeship). The deadline to apply for the training grant is Wednesday 12th February 2025 and the outcome of the process will be sent in April 2025. Employers, please follow this link for more information and to apply for the training grant.

Employers interested in an apprenticeship route will also need to apply for the apprenticeship itself via the training hub.

Development Pathways for AHPs via the Enhanced Clinical Practitioner Apprenticeship

NHS England launches 10 AHP Enhanced Practice Apprenticeship Schemas.

Professionals will access the apprenticeship pathways to train to deliver a high standard of complex, enhanced care for patients, using enhanced levels of clinical judgement, skills and knowledge across four areas of practice; clinical, leadership and management, education and research. To find out more about the AHPs who can now access the ECP apprenticeship, click here.

Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Apprenticeship

We are delighted to update that the first sustainability apprenticeship option has just been added to our website, which is the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Apprenticeship (Level 4) delivered by Ofsted Outstanding rated training provider LDN.

LDN have successfully delivered this apprenticeship for a few years and include health and care specific teaching throughout the programme. LDN are hosting insight sessions for Health and Care employers to find out more.

Please find more information, including details of the insight sessions and how to apply, here.

Employer Opinions Needed - Proposed Government Reforms for Future Tuition Options for Level 7 Apprenticeships

Currently most apprenticeship tuition is financed via Government funds or via Levy Transfers (from other organisations such as Trusts). There is the possibility that soon all level 7 apprenticeship tuition will have to be financed completely by the employer. Popular Level 7 apprenticeships include Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Community Nurse Specialist Practitioner (for GPNs) and various senior management/leadership. The following is a request from Lucy Hunte, NHS England Senior Apprenticeships Development Manager: ‘Skills England have stated their intention to review and potentially defund Level 7 Apprenticeships. In the NHS these have been used to great success to widen participation and support our workforce needs. NHSE are lobbying in all available forums but would encourage all employers to state the case for the NHS and email your views to [email protected]

Employer Payment Incentives available from Lancashire, Chorley and Fylde Councils

Some councils are providing incentive payments to local small employers who recruit and employ young apprentices. To find out more, including eligibility and how to apply for an incentive, please visit Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub (details within the GRANT presentation).

Lancashire County Council’s incentive is £3,000 for 100 Lancashire employers
Chorley Council’s incentive is £1,500 for Chorley employers
Fylde Borough Council incentive is £5,000 for Fylde employers recruiting a new apprentice who is a Fylde residents.

NHSE North West Apprenticeship Information Webinars in 2025

The 1 hour webinar aims to provide an opportunity for anyone new to apprenticeships to develop their knowledge and understanding of apprenticeships, and ask any questions. It will cover; brief overview of apprenticeships, rules / legal requirements, employer and education provider responsibilities, tuition financial support, pipelines and pathways. The webinar is offered once a month, dates and booking instructions are available here.

Grow Your Own

Practice Manager’s Perspective – Nursing and Senior Healthcare Support Worker

Apprentice Feedback – Senior Healthcare Support Worker Julia

Apprentice Feedback – Senior Healthcare Support Worker Nafisa

Irwell Medical Practice – Benefits of the Nursing Associate Role

Apprentice Feedback – Student Nursing Associate Laura

Apprentice Feedback – Student Nursing Associate Natasha

Apprentice Feedback – Business Administrator Lily

An apprenticeship requires the apprentice to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs). The KSBs are outlined for each apprenticeship within the Apprenticeship Standard. All Apprenticeship Standards can be found here.

Using apprenticeships to support workforce supply – NHS Employers
The Value of Apprenticeships in Health and Care – NHS Employers
ESFA Apprenticeship Rules and Guidance for Employers – All Employers must read, agree to, and keep up to date with the ESFA Apprenticeship Funding Rules. The Rules cover various stages in the application process, apprenticeship journey and potential changes along the way, making it a really useful guide for employers. The latest version is available here
NHSE Apprenticeship Finance Webinars – Designed for employers. Please use this link for more information and to book a place.

Lancashire & South Cumbria Primary Care and Social Care Apprenticeship Tuition and DAS Account Guide

Apprenticeships Process

Skills for Health Apprenticeships Key Resources

DfE Diversify your Workforce through Apprenticeships April 2024 webinar

Supporting your Apprentice

Supporting Your Apprentice (Includes Mentoring, performance reviews and wellbeing) – GOV Supporting your apprentice
Improving the Apprentice Experience – Learning and Work Institute Manager’s Guide
Support for Apprentices with a Learning Difficulty or Disability – Guidance document

Please view our New Recruit Apprenticeship Guide

Recruiting and Retaining Care Leavers:

NHSE are continuing to support funded access to Online Revision and Online Examinations in Functional Skills Level 1 and Level 2 in English, Maths and ICT. This is available to all Primary Care staff. See flyer for further details.

NHSE has a Corporate Membership on behalf of the NHS to the Association of Apprentices. The association work with employers and providers to offer enhanced experiences for their apprentices through our community, with peer-to-peer networking, learning and support. Employers are encouraged to consider this for their apprentices. There is no cost to the employer or the apprentice. Further information and registration instructions are available via this link.

Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Apprenticeship Awards 2023 and 2024

Let's Celebrate Together!

If you have an amazing apprentice you wish to celebrate by sharing a few words as recognition for their hard work, or you are an apprentice and wish to highlight someone who has helped you, please email the L&SCPCTH Apprenticeship Team, and we can Tweet about them via @LSC_TH and share your feedback/story on our website.