Develop your career in care with an apprenticeship at Exemplar Health Care

An apprenticeship is a great way to develop your skills and knowledge, and progress in your career. As an apprentice, you’ll earn a wage whilst learning new skills. At the end, you’ll gain a formal qualification which can support your career progression. There are lots of apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships to support your social care career.

If you’re new to social care, an apprenticeship is a really good place to start.

If you already work in social care, you can do an apprenticeship to help you progress in your career.

Exemplar Health Care works with two learning providers, Mercia College and The Learning Curve Group, to offer a range of apprenticeships.

Our most popular apprenticeships include:

• Adult Care Worker Level 2
• Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3
• Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Level 4
• Leader in Adult Care Level 5.

We also offer apprenticeships for colleagues working in support function roles, such as:

• Advance Business Admin Level 3
• Team Leader/Supervisor Level 3
• Digital Marketing Level 3
• Customer Service Practitioner Level 2
• Operational/Departmental Manager Level 5.

What you need to know about apprenticeships

• Apprenticeships take between one and five years to complete
• Apprenticeships are for anyone over the age of 16 – they’re not just for young people
• You’ll likely spend four days on work placement and one day at a training centre of college
• You’ll gain a formally recognised qualification at the end of the apprenticeship

Why choose an apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are a great way to develop your skills and knowledge whilst earning a wage.

Whilst you’re doing an apprenticeship, you’ll work in an Exemplar Health Care home to learn on-the-job. You’ll be supported by a team of experienced professionals, who will help you all the way.

As an apprentice, you’ll have a real job in one of our homes, and as an employee, you’ll have access to a range of rewards, benefits and entitlements.

Your salary will be the same as any new starter in your chosen role. And we’ll pay the fees for your apprenticeship, so your learning is debt-free.

You’ll also do off-the-job training which will be delivered by our learning partners or our experienced training team.

There are lots of opportunities to progress through apprenticeships if you wish. They range across all levels including degrees, and can lead to nationally recognised and regulated roles.

Meet our apprentices

Danielle is doing the Nursing Associate apprenticeship whilst working at Thames House care home in Rochdale.

She joined Exemplar Health Care in 2018 as a Health Care Assistant. After two years in the role, Danielle wanted to develop her skills but couldn’t afford to go into full-time education, so she signed up to the Nursing Associate programme.

Danielle shares: “This is a massive opportunity for me as a young mum. When I had my first child, I never got the chance to go into further education.

“When the opportunity came up, it was a no brainer – I could go to work and still earn for my family, and use this as a stepping stone to do a nursing degree.”

“We get lots of support from the Home Manager and nursing colleagues so I can put my learning into practice.”

Jack completed the Nursing Associate apprenticeship whilst working at Neville Court care home in Barnsley.

“I started my career with Exemplar Health Care after I completed a level 2 apprenticeship in health and social care.

“I have always wanted to progress and further my career in health care, and Exemplar Health Care seemed the best employer by far to give me this opportunity.

“Working as a Trainee Nursing Associate is one of the best opportunities I’ve had to work full time and study to progress in my career. I work alongside the Registered Nurse on my unit carrying out delegated clinical tasks to help me to learn on the job.

“I really enjoy this role as I am able to learn and progress to the completion of a foundation degree, whilst also gaining valuable work experience. There is always something new to learn and the excitement you get feels great.

“In the future I would love to become a Registered Nurse.

“If you’re thinking about doing some training to progress your career, I would definitely say go for it – don’t think about what if, just do it!”

Danni works as a Senior Core Learning Facilitator in our Learning and Organisational Development Team.

She started working with Exemplar Health Care as a Health Care Assistant. Through training and apprenticeships, she’s been able to progress her career into a training role.

“I started my career with Exemplar Health Care as a Health Care Assistant and now work as a Senior Core Learning Facilitator.

“I’m completing the Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship (level 3) with Mercia College and it’s really helping me to develop my skills as a leader.

“I’m learning new things in each assignment and can use these skills daily in my role.”

Careers in care

Exemplar Health Care has 36 care homes across England. We’re looking for fun and caring people to join our growing team.

There are lots of roles in our care homes including:

• Health Care Assistants
• Registered Nurses and Unit Managers – newly qualified and experienced
• Clinical Nurse Managers
• Home Managers
• Maintenance Operatives
• Catering Managers.

You can also work in our Central Services, in roles such as marketing, finance, recruitment, training and quality.

Visit our online job search to find a role near you.

Career development in social care

At Exemplar Health Care, we’re committed to investing in our colleagues. We recognise talent and promote from within.

Our learning opportunities include:  

• a bespoke induction
• mandatory and statutory training (MAST) to refresh your skills

• in-house CPD certificated learning programmes
• apprenticeships and diplomas
• specialist skills development from our central Clinical Team  
• Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor training for Registered Nurses
• free access to the RCNi Learning Platform for Registered Nurses
• coaching
• NHS Leadership Academy programmes.

Read more about our career development opportunities.