Bringing together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
9 - 15 February is the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships help to create clear pathways for people who are considering starting a career in social care, that will provide the knowledge, skills, and attitude that they need to be able to provide high-quality care and progress their careers further in the sector.
Employers can benefit from the development of skills relevant to the organisation as well as improved productivity and a better quality of service. Take a look at the useful information and resources on our website to find out more about embracing apprenticeships..
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - Your Career Starts Here
Apprenticeships at Levels 2, 3, 5 and Foundation - real jobs, real qualifications, real progression.
Apprenticeship levels explained
Foundation apprenticeships
- Ideal for school leavers or those exploring a career
- Learn workplace skills while still studying
- Pathway into Level 2 or 3
PossAbilities is a social enterprise which provides support for vulnerable adults with learning disabilities, dementia and young people leaving care. Partnered with Lifetime, they have become the first employer to utilise the Health and Social Care Foundation Apprenticeship to recruit a workforce fit for the future
PossAbilities
Level 2 apprenticeships
- Entry-level roles
- Build confidence, skills and experience
- Earn while you learn
I wasn’t sure uni was for me. Level 2 gave me a foot in the door and real experience.
Level 3 apprenticeships
- Equivalent to A-levels
- Greater responsibility at work
- Strong progression routes
Level 3 helped me move up at work while still studying - best decision I made.
Level 4 apprenticeships
- Bridge between advanced technical skills and management-level responsibility
Level 5 apprenticeships
- Higher-level / management focus
- Industry-recognised qualification
- Career acceleration
I chose to do the apprenticeship because, after finishing my Level 3 and becoming a full‑time manager, I realised I needed more skills and knowledge to lead my team confidently. My manager encouraged me to progress to Level 5
Thinking of doing an apprenticeship yourself?
An apprenticeship is a great way to develop your skills and knowledge to become a confident and skilled care worker. Find out more and get started.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a way of developing new staff and providing new skills for existing staff by studying and learning through work. Find out more information about apprenticeships.
Getting started
Get started with apprenticeship programmes to provide an opportunity to learn whilst at work and time to learn away from work and be independently assessed at the end. Take a look at how to get started with apprenticeships.