Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland

By 26.04.21

Tom Cheek, Apprenticeship Lead

Apprenticeships are managed by the Northern Ireland Government, offering frameworks that require the completion of a combination of qualifications to complete the apprenticeship.  There are three levels of apprenticeships available:

  • Level 2 Frameworks
  • Level 3 Frameworks
  • Higher Level Apprenticeship (Levels 4 – 8)

Apprentices may start at Level 2 and progress to Level 3, or where ability and qualifications are already present, individuals can go straight in at Level 3.  Length of programme is up to 2 years per level.  This duration can be adapted to account for ability and complexity of the apprenticeship.

Higher Level Apprenticeships offer qualifications that will take a minimum of two years to complete.

There are around 150 Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships and over 45 Higher Level Apprenticeships across multiple sectors.

In terms of science, this includes a Level 3 Scientific Technologies apprenticeship formed with a Level 3 competence-based qualification in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activates, and a Level 3 knowledge-based qualification by means of a BTEC National Extended Diploma in Applied Science.

For higher level apprenticeships life and health science is represented through the following apprenticeships:

  • Applied industrial science (chemical science) – Foundation degree in applied industrial science (chemical science) – Southern Regional College
  • Applied industrial science (life science) – Foundation degree in applied industrial science (life science) – Southern Regional College
  • Applied industrial science – BSc(Hons) applied pharmaceutical sciences – Ulster University
  • Health and social care (adult management)- NCFE CACHE Level 5 diploma in leadership for health and social care services Northern Ireland – South Eastern Regional College
  • Pharmaceutical Analysis – MSc pharmaceutical analysis – Queen’s University Belfast

More information on opportunities of apprenticeships is available on the NI Direct government services website.

References:

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/types–apprenticeships

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/scientific–technologies–level–3–apprenticeship–framework https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/occupational–profile–scientific–technologies https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/higher–level–apprenticeships#toc–14