The place to get hands on experience
Apprenticeships help us to grow and unlock talent, and keep learning, training, and development at our core.
We offer a great variety of apprenticeships across our services, including clinical apprenticeships and a catalogue of apprenticeships programmes in corporate services, operations and management.
Apprenticeships are a way to develop skills in a hands-on role, gain a nationally recognised qualification and earn whilst you learn. It is a great pathway into a long standing and rewarding career and combines practical training with study.
All of our apprentice vacancies are advertised on our careers website as they become available. If existing colleagues wish to complete an apprenticeship, they can apply internally.
During her apprenticeship, Hannah worked full-time in the Clinical Neurophysiology Department at Salford Royal while pursuing a BSc in Clinical Neurophysiology (Healthcare Sciences) at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The fully funded three-year apprenticeship provided hands on training, and an option to earn a salary whilst Hannah was studying towards her degree.
Now a fully qualified Clinical Physiologist, Hannah looks back and shares why completing an apprenticeship was right for her.
"Being able to complete an Apprenticeship a few years out of school was great for me. I was given a full time wage and my student fees were covered, allowing me to have the freedom to live independently."
In-house apprenticeships
In addition to the national apprenticeship programmes, we are proud to offer unique in-house apprenticeships by our Talent and Organisational Development team exclusive to NCA employees.
This Level 3 Frontline Leader Apprenticeship is mapped against the Team Leading and Supervising Apprenticeship Standard and is aimed at typically (but not exclusively) leaders in bands 4-6.
This apprenticeship provides the underpinning knowledge, skills and behaviours of leadership, allowing learners to build a foundation from which they can further develop their leadership and management knowledge and skills.
The Level 5 Operational Manager Apprenticeship is designed for supervisors or managers looking to move to a more senior management role.
Typically (but not exclusively) aimed at bands 7 to 8a, this apprenticeship is aimed at Middle Manager, Operations Manager, Divisional Manager, Department Manager and a variety of specialist managers.
This apprenticeship delivers a broad range of practical management knowledge and skills to give you the tools you need to develop further on your management journey.
Both courses provide dedicated leadership and management skills and are accredited by a recognised leadership qualification.
So, if you are looking to take a more practical approach to developing your career, the NCA can support you with earning and learning on the job.
Our Level 3 Frontline Leader Apprenticeship Programme received a Princess Royal Training Award from HRH Princess Anne.
This acclaimed programme aims to equip future leaders at the NCA with enhanced leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviours while offering practical management experience.
Further Support
If you are looking to take a more practical approach to developing your career, the NCA can support you with earning and learning on the job.
For common FAQs around becoming an apprentice in the NHS, please visit the Skills for Health website.
To search for apprentice opportunities at the NCA, explore our vacancy page.
