Health & Wellbeing Course - Social Services Apprenticeship

Qualification and programme overview.

This qualification is delivered as an apprenticeship that is well-supported and resourced with a team of Apprenticeship Advisors providing pastoral care and support.

The Apprenticeship in Social and Community Services gives your staff the skills they need to work alongside people, family and whānau and apply a person-centred approach to their
support.

The Social Services strand enables apprentices to develop and demonstrate the skills that they need to work alongside people, family and whānau to support autonomy by using tools
and strategies to reduce vulnerability and build resilience.

The programme includes developing and/or recognising the following competencies in your staff:

Engaging and communicating with people, family and/or whānau who are accessing social and community services in a manner which respects their socio-cultural identity.
Developing relationships and supporting a goal of improving outcomes for people accessing services.
Understanding New Zealand’s health and wellbeing challenges and the impact on their role.
Displaying self-awareness, reflective practice and personal leadership in the workplace.
Actively contributing to a culture of professionalism, safety and quality in your workplace.
Gaining an in-depth knowledge of a condition, impairment, situation or issue and applying the new knowledge to support clients.

How is this programme delivered?

This Careerforce apprenticeship is a well supported, workplace training programme. Whilst the learning at this level is self directed, a team of dedicated Apprenticeship Advisors provide pastoral care and support.

How long is the programme?

The programme should take between 18 and 24 months.

Watch the short video to see why Matiu loves his role and his apprenticeship learning journey

What does this programme cost?

Enrolment is this programme is FREE.
* This programme presently has free enrolment via the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF)

Funding to support your business

Employers may also qualify for the Apprenticeship Boost which provides a wage subsidy for new and existing apprentices in their first two years of training, encouraging employers to retain their current apprentices, and to take on new apprentices. Find out more

Do you need more information?

Download qualification brochure

Visit our Apprenticeship pages to learn more about health and wellbeing apprenticeships.

Learn more about Apprenticeships

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on the questions below to reveal the answers. Please contact us via info@careerforce.org.nz if you have a question not covered below.

How do I qualify to become a Social Services apprentice?

The Careerforce apprenticeship programme is for experienced staff. It builds on the technical skills and knowledge that staff already have, to develop their critical thinking, reflective practice and expand their ‘toolkit’. Apprentices need to be employed in a social services position e.g. family violence support worker, welfare worker, refugee support worker, and have the support of their employer to be able to enrol.

How do I complete the Social Services Apprenticeship?

Apprentices gain their skills and knowledge through on-job learning. The core value of industry-based training is that it sets people up with the right experiences, skills and knowledge. Apprentices can earn while they learn, gain nationally-recognised qualifications, support more complex health conditions and handle challenging social issues, resulting in better health outcomes for the New Zealand community.

The learning at this level is self-directed and the apprentice will be developing new ideas and new ways of approaching their work. They will be stretched and allowed to explore special interest areas in greater depth, becoming more proactive rather than reactive.

The on-job learning is supported by Careerforce’s Aka Toi online learning platform.

Who can support me in my Social Services Apprenticeship?

Careerforce Apprenticeships are well-supported and resourced. The Careerforce Apprenticeship Advisor acts as “coach” providing one-on-one support appropriate to the individual apprentice and their needs. The apprentice’s advisor will engage with the employer and others as needed to provide additional learning support and appropriate pastoral care based on the apprentice’s needs. The Advisor could also be the assessor.

How long does it take to complete a Social Services Apprenticeship?

The expected duration for the Social Services apprenticeship is from 18 to 24 months.

How much does it cost to enrol in a Social Services Apprenticeship?

Currently there are no enrolment fees for the Social Services Apprenticeship (valued at $2,000 NZD).

The employer usually pays the fees for staff to enrol in these programmes. To enrol in a Careerforce programme, you must be currently employed, and have the support of your employer.

As part of Budget 2020, the New Zealand Government, announced its Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF). This fund is designed to encourage and support New Zealanders to undertake vocational education and training in targeted areas. The fund removes costs for a wide range of level 4 programmes including apprenticeships through to December 2022.

Contact

To enrol in the Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) (Social and Community Services) Social Services Strand, please call 0800 277 486, email: info@careerforce.org.nz or speak to your local Careerforce Workplace Advisor

Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Social and Community Services, Social Services Strand