What is an Apprenticeship?

As an apprenticeship you are employed as full-time members of staff and typically work for an employer three to four days a week. One or two days a week is spent at college, studying for nationally-recognised qualifications in the same profession as the apprenticeship.

• You must find your own employer.
• Some employers may require GCSEs on entry.
• It might be possible to do an apprenticeship with a current employer.
• You work all year round, but your College classes run from September to July.

Employers pay for the day the apprentice is in college, meaning you will receive a full-time wage at least  in accordance with the national minimum wage.

Details and restrictions

• Apprentices must be aged 16 or above. There is no upper age limit, which means you can start an apprenticeship at any stage of your career.
• Potential apprentices can be existing or new employees including graduates or about to take up a permanent paid employment offer. An existing employee must be in a new job that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development.  You must be employed by a company that has a base in Northern Ireland and is registered as an employer with HMRC and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week with one employer.

This one year qualification has been developed for Northern Ireland (only). 

All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods which will include direct observation by a tutor or assessor within the workplace, written assignments and professional discussion.

The Level 2 Apprenticeship offers a Level 2 CACHE qualification which is  is designed to provide students with an awareness and appreciation of the children and young people sector and the differing childcare employment opportunities that are available. Students will be supported by professional staff who are experienced and enthusiastic about children’s care, learning and development. 

The course features a combination of work-based as well as classroom learning.  Students will be guided in developing understanding and key skills which will be essential in order to secure future employment in the sector.  The course includes the study of important childcare theory; best practice and essential employment skills including communication and teamwork.   

There are 8 units to complete on the level 2 Diploma CCLD. 

Examples of these include: 

• Context, principles and values that underpin practice 
• Communication and partnership working   
• Safeguarding children 
• Keeping children safe, healthy and well   
• Support children’s personal care and nutrition   
• Supporting children’s development 
• Support children’s play, learning and development   
• Contribute to the support of children with disabilities and/or special need 

You must:

• Have attained the minimum school leaving age of 16 on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course 
• Have or be about to take up permanent paid employment with a Northern Ireland-based company and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (including day release/ off- the-job training) with one employer.
• Have the potential to successfully complete all the requirements of the appropriate Level 2/Level 3 Apprenticeship Framework.
• Meet any health requirements (eg colour vision) specific to the occupation of their choice.
• Have achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (eg GCSE) determined by the relevant sector for the apprenticeship and approved by the Department for the Economy.
• Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector/employer and approved by the Department for the Economy.
• Attend an information session.

In addition if you are an existing employee you must be:

• In permanent remunerative employment with a Northern Ireland-based company from day one of the apprenticeship.
• Contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (including day release/off-the-job training) with one employer; and meet all the other eligibility criteria as set out above.

All relevant paperwork should be uploaded to the admissions portal prior to being considered for an apprenticeship, this should include your:

• Employer response form
• Vision verification form (Electrical Installation only)
• One form of official photographic ID
• Official proof of your National Insurance number eg Letter from HMRC

To access the forms and for further details visit our Apprenticeship page