Bournemouth University’s Apprenticeship Programs Rally Behind NHS Recruitment Initiative
Bournemouth University has received £86,522 from the Office for Students (OfS) for two degree apprenticeship courses.
Apprenticeships are an alternative route that can support the education and training of existing staff talent into professional roles to meet the changing needs of patients and support the ongoing transformation of care.
A regional skills need has been identified by local hospitals for an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) Apprenticeship as part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. The plan sets out that by 2031/32 at least 80% of ODPs will join the Allied Health workforce via an apprenticeship route. The need for offering more health apprenticeships is supported by the Dorset Local Skills Improvement Plan.
The programme will enable apprentices to study for a degree and professional qualification whilst employed in the healthcare sector. All the fees for their studies will be covered through the apprenticeship levy – funded by their employers.
Professor Philip Sewell, Director of Apprenticeships and Skills, said: “This funding will support the introduction of a new degree apprenticeship and provide a progression pathway into our nursing apprenticeship. These apprenticeships will increase the skilled workforce and provide alternative progression routes into apprenticeships to increase the equality of opportunity. We hope through these new apprenticeship schemes we can boost local opportunities.”
The degree apprenticeships include:
Operating Department Practitioner Apprenticeship
From September 2024, apprentices will be supported in the learning and skill acquisition needed to provide a high standard of dignified patient care at each stage of the operating department – from anaesthetic through surgery to recovery. Apprentices will use BU’s purpose built simulated operating theatre to safely gain confidence in a clinical setting. They will apply their knowledge in the operating department alongside their study time.
John Tarrant, Senior Lecturer in Operating Department Practice, said: “Bournemouth University has worked closely, for over twenty years, with regional hospitals to deliver an operating department practice programme. We are delighted that this new apprenticeship means that existing staff, that are not able to access traditional degrees, will have the opportunity to get complete a professional qualification.”
Nurse Associate route to Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship
This programme is available to applicants who are registered as Nurse Associates. This apprenticeship enables a Nurse Associate to undertake a shortened nursing degree programme in Mental Health or Adult Nursing. On completion, apprentices can apply to enter the Nursing & Midwifery Council Register as a Registered Nurse. As a newly qualified BU graduate and Registered Nurse, apprentices will be equipped to gain experience in a wide range of healthcare settings.
Professor Sue Green, Head of Department of Nursing Science, said: “Our BSc nursing programmes at BU support the development of compassionate, knowledgeable, and competent graduate nurses, capable of delivering and leading high-quality, person-centred care. We are pleased to be able to offer a shortened apprenticeship graduate Registered Nurse programme to Nurse Associates from this year. Graduates can develop their careers in a wide variety of ways, for example, by becoming a nurse specialist, clinical leader and manager, educator, and public health practitioner.”