Former NHS apprentices encourage others to take up training opportunities during National Apprenticeship Week

Health care workers in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have urged others to follow their career dreams, as the NHS marks National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February 2025).

The role of nursing associate is a new healthcare role created to ‘bridge the gap’ between healthcare assistants and registered nurses, and the apprenticeship route is a common way for them to qualify.

Nationally there are over around 11,000 nursing associates on the NMC register, with more in training.  Nursing associates must pass a foundation degree awarded by an NMC-approved provider, typically taken over two years.  The programme includes both academic and work-based learning and prepares trainees to work with people of all ages, in a variety of settings in health and social care.

Vicki Lawrence, a nursing associate working in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, said:

“The opportunity to do the apprenticeship was the perfect solution for me.  I was able to study to further my career, earn money, and still be a mum to my children.  It gave me more flexibility and once I achieved balance in all the different hats I needed to wear, things went smoothly.  I had great support through my employer, the NHS training team, my friends and most importantly my children.  I also learned so much about myself and about nursing as a profession.  My apprenticeship showed me that anything is possible with a determination to progress in your career at your own pace.”

Over 20 primary care nursing associates are now undertaking apprenticeships in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes as part of a project with local universities which offers a new, on-the-job training route to nursing careers.  The Integrated Care Board has supported general practices to identify suitable candidates and to access this new role to expand their range of services for patients.

Sarah Stanley, Chief Nurse at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“National Apprenticeship Week is the ideal time to highlight the development opportunities available to NHS staff.  The training to become a nursing associate can be completed on the job, over the course of a two-year apprenticeship.

“We’re committed to supporting people to develop their careers in the NHS, and apprenticeships are an ideal way to earn while you learn.

“Although many employers support apprentices via the apprenticeship levy, smaller businesses such as general practices have traditionally found it more difficult to make these opportunities available.

“Our training hub saw the chance to develop staff via the nursing associate role, which helps them to broaden their career aspirations and helps the NHS to plan a workforce for the future.  We’ve worked with practices to identify staff interested in completing the apprenticeship, and have a partnership with the University of Bedfordshire and other universities to support them onto the course.”

Most were already working in NHS roles prior to beginning their apprenticeships, but others were recruited onto the course from local communities in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.  The apprenticeship lasts for two years, so the first cohort will conclude their studies and gain their accreditation as Nursing Associates later this year.

Ruth Horton, who also qualified as a nursing associate through the apprenticeship route, said:

“I felt that an apprenticeship was the next natural step for my learning and development and, without it, I would still be in the same position as I was two years ago.  Since undertaking my apprenticeship, I have given more responsibility, and been able to access new career opportunities in general practice nursing, which wouldn’t have been open to me otherwise.

“It is hard work, and you need to be committed enough to identify your own training needs in your shadowing day, which in turn enables you to concentrate on the areas that you want to learn about and are interested in.”

Lynsey Wheeldon, an apprentice nursing associate, emphasised that apprenticeships were not only for recent school and college leavers, but for those already enjoying NHS careers:

“I chose an apprenticeship as I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford not to work.  Having been a healthcare assistant for seven years, I had a fair bit of experience but I knew I couldn’t progress further in my role without becoming a registered professional.  The support that my employer offered, alongside my training, also meant I could use the knowledge I’d gained which gave me more confidence.  I know I can discuss any concerns with my mentor and I can see a career path ahead of me which might allow me to run my own nurse-led clinics one day, which I never thought would be possible for me in my forties.”

There are over 350 different careers in the National Health Service.  You can explore routes, roles and qualifications at www.healthcareers.nhs.uk.