Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships allow you to start work and earn a wage, while learning new skills that will lead to nationally recognised qualifications. They are available to people aged over 16 years, whether they are school-leavers or have been working for many years or are seeking to start a new career. For example, you might be able to study for an NVQ in Health and Social Care or in Health on an apprenticeship. The type of role you could start with as an apprentice is a Health Care Support Assistant, helping other staff in a community setting to care for patients.
Competition for places with employers can be fierce, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you.
The types of skills which are looked for are:
- Motivation to succeed
- Good skills at working with people, both colleagues at work and people using the service
- Good verbal communication skills and body language
- Physical fitness may be necessary in order to perform some tasks, for example, lifting and handling
- Willingness to undertake training and education programmes and to apply what you have learned in the workplace
An apprenticeship could open up various public health career opportunities in the community.
For more information about Apprenticeships and the career opportunities that they can open up, see:
- Apprenticeships.org (UK)
- Careers Wales
- Skills Development Scotland
- Department of Employment and Learning, Northern Ireland (DELNI)
- Skills for Health