There are huge opportunities for HEIs to work in collaboration with employer partners to provide tailored education programmes which match or exceed the needs of the student, learner and employer. Apprenticeships offer a delivery model where the employer can appropriately support the needs of the qualification and also the needs of their patients by using the work-based model of an apprenticeship.

The planning for new and emerging apprenticeships should be strategic, based on the NHS Long Term Workforce projections, with employer partnership working at its heart. It is this collaborative approach that we have seen at University College Birmingham grow healthcare registered degrees and apprenticeships, without compromising on quality.

Across the country, there is scope for higher education institutions (HEIs) to work with employers on offering unique and specialist placement opportunities, enhancing the learning experience of their apprentices. In Birmingham, these include Cygnet Health Care, an independent mental health and learning disability provider, Health in Justice (Practice Plus group, providing healthcare within the prison environment), and University Hospitals Birmingham and specialist NHS care providers, such as Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, and the Birmingham community hub working to support GP surgeries to develop their staff.

The bespoke blended delivery model supports the national provision, enabling apprentices from across England to enjoy a university experience whilst studying remotely. By utilising this delivery model as part of the HEI’s nursing offer, national placement partnership can enable the support of placement opportunities in mental health, adult, children and learning settings as part of the NMC requirements.

The tangible challenges of a shortage of nurses, in the context of wider challenges in the sector addressing the difficulties of a post-pandemic work, do mean that quick fixes and overnight miracles are not a reality. The combination of offering employer-focused and immersive learning experiences to both local and national employers, and a route to enhancing their workforce development that goes beyond the traditional academic settings of entry go a long way towards addressing the gap. For those exploring healthcare careers without going to university, there are now more accessible pathways than ever.

Find out more about apprenticeships at University College Birmingham, or learn about our Nursing Associate FdSc course and other programmes within our Department of Health.