To coincide with National Apprenticeship Week, University Alliance (UA) and the University of Derby have jointly published a comprehensive report that explores the current enablers of and barriers to delivering healthcare apprenticeships.
Titled ‘An exploration of barriers and enablers to the expansion of healthcare degree apprenticeships’, the report focuses on expanding apprenticeship participation for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), nurses, and doctors in England, and responds to the targets as set out by the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP), published in the summer of 2023.
The report highlights financial constraints and disincentives, issues with capacity and support, as well as coordination challenges between employers and education providers.
Using existing evidence, a survey and in-depth qualitative interviews of current and former apprentices (alongside employers and staff at higher education institutions), the report provides targeted policy recommendations for employers, universities, policy makers and government to overcome these barriers.
Policy recommendations:
For the government to make financial reforms, including:
- increasing flexibility in the apprenticeship and skills levy to cover backfill, supervision, and other related costs for healthcare organisations;
- fairer distribution of apprenticeship funding across regions and specialties;
- retaining level 7 apprenticeships for skills and roles in demand.
For better employer-education partnerships, by:
- fostering early collaboration between employers and education providers to define roles, expectations, and responsibilities;
- designating a dedicated Higher Education Institution (HEI) contact to streamline communication with and support for employers;
- improving communication and collaboration between employers and higher education institutions to focus on providing conjoined support for apprentices.
Increased capacity building, including:
- investment in infrastructure to increase clinical placements and dedicated support roles for apprentices;
- streamlining regulations and offering clearer guidance to reduce the administrative burden on employers and providers;
- increasing resources for clinical supervisors to enable effective mentorship while managing workload;
- upgrading technology and platforms within higher education institutions and employer partners to support apprenticeship management and placements.
Improved public awareness and perception of degree apprenticeships, including through:
- promoting apprenticeships as valuable healthcare career pathways through public and media campaigns;
- partnering with schools to present apprenticeships as viable alternatives to traditional routes, and including successful apprentices in outreach efforts to build credibility and inspire new entrants.
Improved policy coordination, by:
- improving coordination between government departments in healthcare, education, and employment for cohesive policymaking;
- aligning apprenticeship policies with government workforce plans or strategies to address future workforce needs;
- promoting a sustained and long-term plan and commitment towards growing apprenticeships, rather than short term plans.
