EMPLOYER INFORMATION: APPRENTICESHIP

Here are 5 things employers should know about the apprenticeship:

1. You will need to make 6 hours per week available for your apprentice to train "off the job".
2. You will be required to attend regular (6 weekly) Microsoft Teams meetings to review progress.
3. You must pay the apprentice at least the national minimum apprentice wage. The apprentice cannot pay for any part of the apprenticeship.
4. You will need to provide Employer onboarding documentation before training can begin.
5. Your contract, employer onboarding and employer contribution payment must be complete at least 48 hours before training can begin.

You will need to provide

• Practice information (legal entity name, address and contact information)
• List of contacts (Principal, Practice Manager, Finance contact, Contracts Manager, Apprentice's Mentor, Apprentice's Witness). Full name, GDC numbers, email and telephone will be required.
• Health & Safety policy (scanned copy / pdf upload required - this must be current and complete)
• Employer's Liability Insurance documents (scanned copy / pdf upload required - this must be current and complete) 
• Funding information (whether you are an apprenticeship Levy payer or non levy payer)
• CQC information (CQC registration number, date of last CQC inspection, details of any risks identified at last inspection)

The national Dental Nurse Academy is the provider for the Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing (GDC 2023) apprenticeship standard, code ST1431.

Qualification is recognised by the General Dental Council (GDC), the Regulatory Body to which ALL Dental Professionals in the UK must belong in order to practise.

This is a 'fully funded' course, meaning that apprentices do not need to pay anything for their course.

Most employers are required to pay a £400 ‘top-up’ fee. Where UK Government Department for Education (DfE) pays 95% of the maximum funding band, employers also pay 5%; which equates to a £400 'co-investment' payment. All employer fees must be paid before the learner starts their apprenticeship. The cost includes all course fees and assessment fees. Re-sit or re-take fees are charged separately.

Note: For larger employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy, funding is provided to spend on training and assessing apprentices. In this case the government will add 10%.

Apprentices must be paid for their normal working hours (as defined in the employment contract), including the time spent training for the apprenticeship (normally 6hrs per week).

The current National Minimum Wage rate for an apprentice is £8.00 per hour from April 2026 (was £7.55 per hour before April '26). For updated figures see the government page on apprentice pay and conditions.

The employer is responsible for meeting the requirements, therefore terms must be agreed between employer and apprentice. This does not involve Dental Nurse Academy.

The following apprenticeship eligibility criteria must be met in order to join. These criteria will be checked at "Initial Assessment" stage (the first phase of the application). Applicants must:

1. Be aged 16 or over;

2. Live (hold residency status) in England;

3. Be employed (note we are unable to assist with job search or recruitment);

4. Spend at least 50% of working hours in England;

5. Be able to complete the apprenticeship within the time available (normally 18 months), i.e. not have a visa that expires within this time for example;

6. Not be in full-time education or be undertaking another apprenticeship;

7. Hold Level 2 English and Maths (equivalent to GCSE grade C or higher) if aged 16 - 18. This does not apply for apprentices aged 19+