Apprentice In Social Work

Job Title, Grade Code

Apprentice in Social Work (Grade code: 6020)

Location of Post

It is anticipated that there will be a total of 20 Apprentices employed by the HSE on the 2026. Apprentice in Social Work Programme. There are currently 11 locations confirmed and these are based in the following locations:

• 2 x Cork City
• 3 x Limerick City
• 1 x Thurles, Co. Tipperary
• 5 x Dublin

It is anticipated that other locations for the 2026 programme will become available between advertisement date and commencement date of 1st June 2026 and these will be filled from the applicant pool created on foot of this campaign.

Details of Service

• The Apprentice in Social Work programme has been developed by an industry-led consortium with University College Cork (UCC) as the lead educational institution.
• The 2 year apprenticeship programme merges higher education with work-based learning by providing the post holder with a unique opportunity to gain practical administrative experience within a Social Work team whilst completing college-based learning towards achieving a Level 9 Social Work qualification.
• The Apprentice will spend approximately 15 months on-the-job under the supervision and guidance of experienced, professionally qualified Social Workers and 9 months off-the-job completing a total of 3 college-based learning blocks at UCC.
• There is Social Work Apprentice Handbook which contains additional information on the Apprentice in Social Work which can be found here: https://content.apprenticeship.ie/f/83224/x/0c10b1f40a/apprentice-in-social-work-social-work-apprenticeship-apprentice-handbook-a4-v13.pdf
• Following completion of the full-time, structured programme and successful achievement of both the practical and academic elements, the apprentice will be positioned to register as a Social Worker with CORU- the regulatory body in Ireland.

Informal Enquiries

Please email you query to hseapprenticeships@hse.ie and a member of the HSE Apprenticeship Team will be in contact.