About apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a real job where you learn, gain experience, and get paid - you’re an employee with a contract of employment.
It doesn't matter whether you’re just starting out in your career, want a change or are upskilling in your current job. You can have a previous qualification, such as a degree, and still start an apprenticeship as long as it’s in a different subject. By the end of your apprenticeship, you'll have the right skills and knowledge needed for your chosen career.
Not all roles within the NHS are clinical - we have staff in Digital, Finance, Human Resources, Communications and a range of administration roles who come together to deliver the best possible care for our patients.
Whatever skills you have, there is probably a job that will suit them in the NHS and an apprenticeship might be the perfect way to start your career with us.
We also offer apprenticeship training pathways for existing staff as part of continuous professional development.
How to know if an apprenticeship is for you
Apprenticeships are for people of all ages - there is no upper age limit.
Apprenticeships offer routes into a variety of careers in the NHS and are an excellent opportunity to earn money, gain work experience and achieve nationally recognised qualifications at the same time, with many different areas of work to consider.
The important thing is that you are interested in learning new skills.
An apprenticeship in the NHS isn’t like going to college or university - as an apprentice you will be doing a real job while training and getting paid for it!
Benefits of becoming an apprentice
There are many benefits to becoming an apprentice:
- You gain valuable workplace skills and experience.
- You are paid a salary and have a contract of employment
- You achieve a qualification that is fully funded
- You have access to the NHS pension scheme
- You have access to a range of NHS benefits
Apprenticeship Testimonials
The testimonials below show just how valuable apprenticeships can be in supporting skill development, enabling career progression and contributing to service improvement across the Trust.
"I am a Senior Project Manager in the PMO, working with Clinical and Operational leads to deliver change across the organisation and region. I began a Project Management Degree Apprenticeship in 2020, which allowed me to strengthen my expertise while directly applying my learning to live projects.
"Completing the four-year apprenticeship alongside work and home life was a significant commitment and one of my proudest achievements. The knowledge and confidence I gained supported me to successfully secure a promotion in 2024 and continue developing in my role, now also mentoring a colleague on the same course.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my family, colleagues and the Trust, and I’ve since progressed onto a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship. Both programmes have strengthened my confidence and leadership capability, enabling me to contribute more effectively to improving patient care and experience."
"I’m working at CCC as a Senior Data Engineer and Technical Lead, having progressed from a Level 4 Data Analyst apprenticeship and now nearing completion of my Level 6 BSc (Hons) Data Scientist degree. After an earlier attempt at university didn’t work out, I was concerned about my future prospects in a job market that increasingly demands formal qualifications.
"An apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to learn, develop and build a meaningful career while earning and gaining qualifications at the same time. It has been challenging , but incredibly rewarding as I’ve gained invaluable knowledge, confidence, and a degree at no personal financial cost.
"During my Level 4 apprenticeship, I was incredibly proud to be named Northwest DSDN Apprentice of the Year, and Learner of the Year at our Staff Excellence Awards. Recognition that confirmed choosing the apprenticeship route was one of the best investments I’ve made in myself."
"I’m a Clinical Trials Admin Assistant currently completing my Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship. I joined The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre at 16 straight from school, as I wanted the opportunity to gain a qualification while earning and building real work experience at the same time.
"Since starting here, my confidence has grown significantly, and I’ve developed strong communication and organisational skills. By the end of my apprenticeship I’ll have two years of valuable workplace experience, which I hope will give me a real head start in my career."
"After starting a new role in management as a Treatment Expert Practitioner (TEP) in Radiotherapy, I was drawn to the Women in Leadership and Management Apprenticeship as a structured and meaningful way to strengthen my leadership capabilities. The programme was both empowering and practical, allowing me to immediately apply my learning to improve my communication, decision-making, and overall confidence. Women can face unique challenges in leadership roles, and it felt both motivating and empowering to be part of an apprenticeship that openly acknowledged these experiences and focused on addressing them.
"What I enjoyed most during my apprenticeship was being able to apply what I was learning straight away in my work, and seeing the impact it had on my confidence, communication, and decision‑making. Completing the apprenticeship gave me the belief and capability to take on new challenges, and shortly afterwards I progressed into the Quality Lead role in Radiotherapy alongside my TEP responsibilities - something I may not have felt ready for without the skills and self‑assurance I gained throughout the apprenticeship."
"I recently completed a Level 3 Leadership and Management apprenticeship while working as a Cleanroom Supervisor. The apprenticeship gave me real hands-on experience while I was learning and I developed skills in time management, communication, people management, and I was introduced to the quality systems we use in the aseptic department. The support from my senior management team and department was incredible. I was nervous about my final assessment, but with encouragement from the team, I achieved a distinction and was even nominated for Learner of the Year at last year's Staff Excellence Awards.
I have since progressed in my career and started another apprenticeship as a Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician. Again, the apprenticeship combines classroom learning with practical, hands on work experience. Opportunities like dispensing in Pharma C and shadowing Pharmacy Technicians on the wards allows me to gain a much more rounded experience. Balancing work, study, and young children can be challenging, but the support from my department, especially the Aseptic Education and Training team, has been invaluable. I’m looking forward to completing this apprenticeship next year and exploring the opportunities ahead.”
Finding an apprenticeship
We advertise our apprenticeship vacancies on Trac, our online recruitment system. There are no set times when we advertise apprenticeships - if you register on Trac you can set up job alerts so you know when we have a vacancy.
Further information
Step Into The NHS - apprenticeships