University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is committed to providing opportunities for those wishing to start a career in the healthcare industry and to develop the skills of our existing workforce to enable them to progress along their chosen career pathway.

We offer an extensive range of apprenticeships across the organisation, in both clinical and non-clinical disciplines. Our Public Sector Apprenticeship figures demonstrate this, showing that we are exceeding the target of 2.3% of our workforce, and continuing to increase both apprentice numbers and programmes available.

 

An apprenticeship at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP)

An apprenticeship here at UHP is a paid job, where the employee will combine practical hands-on training in their chosen career with protected study time facilitated by an academic provider.  

As an apprentice at UHP you will gain the practical experience, technical knowledge and wider skills needed to perform your existing role and shape your future career with us. You will gain this through a variety of work-based learning, formal off-the job training and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment. An apprenticeship will give you the skills you need to offer a first-class service to our patients and service users, whilst also providing the building blocks to your bright career ahead.

You will be working, usually full time, in your job role. The qualification training will be done mainly at the workplace, with the off-the-job training accounting for at least 20% of your employed time. An assessor will regularly visit you at work to observe you performing relevant tasks and to carry out professional discussions. You will receive a login to an online portfolio and complete a variety of learning modules. English and Maths will need to be completed prior to completion, if you have not already achieved them at GCSE grade C / level 4 or above.

About Apprenticeships

What are the benefits?

  • Paid Employment

  • Earn while you learn

  • 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays)

  • 20% ‘off-the job’ training

  • Successful completion secures an industry recognised qualification

  • Clear career progression and pathways  

  • NHS Pension

 

How long do they take?

The length of an apprenticeship can vary depending on the qualification you wish to achieve. They can range from 12 months to 5 years depending on which one you choose and your previous qualifications. For full details of each qualification and duration please email plh-tr@apprenticeships@nhs.net.

 

Levels

Apprenticeship Levels
  Level Equivalent educational level
Intermediate 2 GCSE
Advanced 3 A Level
Higher 4 and 5 Foundation degree
Degree 6 and 7 Degree or Masters

 

Do I have to pay for the qualification?

GREAT NEWS….No! that is the beauty of an apprenticeship. Not only can you earn while you learn but the apprenticeship levy also ensures you do not end up with expensive tuition fees at the end. Find out more about the apprenticeship levy and how it can work for you.  

 

Who can apply for an apprenticeship?

Anyone over the age of 16 can apply for an apprenticeship and there is no upper age limit. Internal members of staff can apply to further develop their education and individuals within our local community can also take advantage of the great opportunities apprenticeships offer to pursue a career in their chosen profession.  A 16 year old student can apply whilst still at school however, they must complete their final summer term before the apprenticeship can begin.

 

Further information

 

Apprenticeship Pathways

 

Clinical non-registered

  • L2 Healthcare Support Worker

  • L3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker

  • L5 Assistant Practitioner

Nursing

  • L5 Trainee Nurse Associate

  • L6 Registered Nurse Degree

  • L7 Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Healthcare Science

  • L2 Healthcare Science Assistant

    • Sleep Physiology

    • Cardio Physiology 

  • L3 Healthcare Engineering Specialist Technician

  • L3 Lab Technician

  • L3 Pharmacy Technician

  • L4 Healthcare Science Associate

    • Biomedical Science

    • Cardio Respiratory

  • L6 Healthcare Science Practitioner

    • Audiology

    • Biomedical Science

    • Cardio Respiratory

    • Medical Physics Technology

    • Radiotherapy Physics

Allied Health Professionals

  • L4 Mammography Associate

  • L5 Assistant Practitioner (Radiography)

  • L6 Occupational Therapist

  • L6 Operating Department Practitioner

  • L6 Diagnostic Radiographer

Administration

  • L2 Customer Service

  • L3 Business Administration

  • L3 Team Leader

  • L3 Data Technician (excel)

  • L4 Data Analyst

  • L4 Associate Project Manager

Management / Leadership

  • L5 Operations/ Dept Manager

  • L6 Chartered Manager

  • L7 Senior Leader

Corporate Support

  • L3 Human Resources Support

  • L5 HR Consultant Partner

  • L3 Assistant Accountant

  • L4 Professional Accountant Technician

  • L3 Data Technician

  • L3 Info Comms Technician

  • L3 Digital Marketer

  • L3 Software Development Technician

  • L4 Business Analyst

  • L4 Cyber Security Technologist

  • L4 Data Analyst

  • L4 DevOps Engineer

  • L4 Network Engineer

  • L4 Software Developer /Tester

  • L6 Data Scientist Degree

  • L6 Digital Technology Solutions

  • L7 MSc Applied Data Analytics

Estates

  • L2 Carpentry & joinery

  • L2 Construction building wood occupations

  • L3 Engineering manufacture

  • L3 Maintenance and Engineering technician

Staff stories

Sean Wylie, a Healthcare Science Practitioner Apprentice at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP), won the coveted UHP Apprentice of the Year title for 2024.

You may be interested in

  1. Supported Internships

    University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is proud to be the host employer partner in Project SEARCH, a supported internship model that supports young adults with learning disabilities to gain mainstream paid employment.

  2. Volunteering

    We are looking for volunteers to help us across the hospital in roles which support clinical staff and patients in a variety of ways. Our volunteers help us to go above and beyond, to boost the care given by staff and improve patient experience.

  3. Work Experience

    We offer quality work experience or shadowing placement in a healthcare setting. A work experience placement at University Hospitals Plymouth offers the chance to see what working in an acute hospital is really like across a variety of roles.

  4. T Levels

    T Levels are 2-year courses which are taken after GCSEs. They're an alternative to A levels and apprenticeships, combining classroom learning with a substantial industry placement.

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