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

 

Clinincal non-registered

  • L2 Healthcare Support Worker
  • L3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker L5 Assistant Practitioner
  • L5 Trainee Nurse Associate

Nursing

  • L6 Registered Nurse Degree
  • L7 Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Healthcare Science

  • L2 Healthcare Science Assistant
  • L3 Lab Technician
  • L4 Healthcare Science Associate
  • L6 Healthcare Science Practitioner
  • L3 Pharmacy Technician

Allied Health Professionals

  • L6 Operating Department Practitioner
  • L6 Diagnostic Radiographer

Administration

  • L2 Customer Service
  • L3 Business Administration
  • L3 Team Leader
  • 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 Software Development Technician
  • 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

Lily joined us as a Emergency Department Admin Apprentice and recently won our 2024 apprentice of the year.

Want to get involved? Check out our events calendar

Recruitment events calendar
Date Time Place Event

16/09/2024

10am to Midday

Barclays Bank

Caring Plymouth Drop In

18/09/2024

10am to Midday

Devonport Job Centre

Group Information Sessions

26/09/2024

 

Plymouth Life Centre

Launchpad Live (Invite only)

27/09/2024

 

Plymouth Life Centre

Launchpad Live (Invite only)

01/10/2024

 

Seetec Plymouth

Group information session (Invite only)

04/10/2024

10am to 4pm

The Duke of Cornwall

NHS Careers Showcase

17/10/2024

 

Devonport Job Centre

Jobs fair (all DWP customers)

19/10/2024

 

Derriford Centre for Health and Wellbeing

Preceptees only

22/10/2024

 

Brook Green Centre for Learning

Careers Fair (Invite only)

28/11/2024

 

Plympton Academy

Careers Fair (Invite only)

14/01/2025

 

Heles School

Careers Fair (Invite only)

20/01/2025

 

All Saints Academy

Careers Fair (Invite only)

25/03/2025

 

Notre Dame

Careers Fair (Invite only)

Events and News

Photo of students at Linac Bunker construction site with Tilbury Douglas
College students experience live construction site at University Hospitals Plymouth

Posted on at

Local college students were recently invited to a building site to find out about different careers in construction and learn about a very special building process currently being undertaken at University Hospitals Plymouth.

Read the full story

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  2. Volunteering

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  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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