Community Health & Wellbeing Worker apprenticeship · Career pathways into and through SPLW

Apprenticeship and lived-experience routes in

Apprenticeships are one explicit route into the role and similar community-facing roles. In different countries this looks different — formal apprenticeship standards in some places, structured workplace learning programmes in others, informal mentoring schemes elsewhere.

What an apprenticeship route typically looks like

A formal pathway in which apprentices work in real roles — often in community organisations, local authorities, or health settings — while studying. Structures vary: employer-funded time off the job, end-point assessment, recognised qualification on completion.

The purpose, wherever it sits, is to work in partnership with individuals and their communities to identify and address health and wellbeing needs, improve health, prevent ill-health and reduce inequalities.

Does completing an apprenticeship make you an SPLW?

Not automatically. After completing the apprenticeship, people may choose a career as an , but they would still need to:

demonstrate the necessary competencies in the competency framework
be committed to personalised care principles
complete the necessary -specific training ( modules and the mandatory training required in their jurisdiction).

The apprenticeship gets you a strong foundation. -specific training builds on it.

Why this matters for the workforce

Apprenticeship routes — alongside lived experience routes — help tackle inequity in employment opportunities. Many of the most effective do not come through traditional academic routes.

Find your local pathway

Apprenticeship structures vary widely across countries. Check with:

your national or regional health workforce body
your country's apprenticeship or technical-training authority
's national chapter for your region.