Apprenticeship opportunities at HPFT

14 Feb 25

This week was National Apprenticeship Week.

During the week we took the chance to highlight the diverse opportunities available, demonstrating how apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and skill development in various fields within HPFT.

A graphic with a blue background with text saying "National Apprenticeship Week 2025". It contains 4 photos showing a stall promoting apprenticeships, with banners and leaflets. It also shows people standing at the stalls.

We had the opportunity to talk to organisations who work with HPFT to offer apprenticeships in the Trust, both clinical (nursing at the University of Hertfordshire) and non-clinical (the companies ‘STEADFAST’ and ‘Ixion’), who have answered some commonly asked questions about entering an apprenticeship.

If I was considering an apprenticeship…

What would it involve on a day-to-day basis?

All apprenticeships are different. There are some which offer part-time courses, such as the Nursing Associate foundation degree at the University of Hertfordshire, which takes place over 2 years. You would attend university one day a week and complete six full-time placement blocks, each six to eight weeks in duration. This shows its flexibility and makes it a great option for those who wish to balance work, study and practical experience and training.

What qualifications or skills are needed to apply?

This differs depending on the apprenticeship, however, with the three organisations we talked to, GCSEs in Maths and English were required.

What type of qualifications can I earn at the end of an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships have different levels (1-7) and therefore different qualifications gained at the end.

The organisation, STEADFAST, offers apprenticeships levelled at 2 to 5 – in the Level 5 apprenticeship, there is an End Point Assessment to complete the course, which is the equivalent to a foundation degree, similar to the Nursing Associate course, which is also a foundation degree.

Is there a guaranteed job at the end?

Many success stories were shared including a number who had continued in the Trust.

For example, with the Nursing Associate foundation degree, you are already employed and therefore have secured a job at the end of your apprenticeship, which then allows you opportunities for promotion.

We also talked to Jake, who is a current apprentice in the Trust through the company Ixion. He is doing an apprenticeship in Level 3 Business Administration. Jake said:

“So far I am enjoying my apprenticeship as I am gaining practical experience and training on the job. I hope to continue in the Trust as a full-time worker after I have completed my apprenticeship.”

If you wish to apply for an apprenticeship at HPFT and to find out more, please contact hpft.apprenticeship@nhs.net.

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Apprenticeship opportunities at HPFT