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The funding for NHS employers will support the Coalition Government's commitment to expand the Apprenticeship programme by at least 75,000 more places than the previous Government provided. NHS apprentices will be in real jobs and receive top quality practical and technical training to improve their qualifications and contribution to the NHS workforce. Apprenticeships will include support roles such as dental nurses and pharmacy support workers. The boost to Apprenticeships in the health sector comes after a report by the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee (NAAC), chaired by Ron Kerr, Chief Executive of Guy's and St Thomas'. The report includes ten key recommendations, which the Department is supporting with the agreement to invest an extra £10m through the NHS to continue to deliver the Apprenticeship agenda.
"The Coalition Government has made apprenticeships a top priority so that we can continue to invest in skills for the future in the face of a tough economic climate. The important role of the wider healthcare workforce in the NHS is often overlooked - but they are essential to the smooth running of the service. "This extra funding for Apprenticeships will give young people the chance to learn important skills and the opportunity for career progression in a stimulating and worthwhile environment. We will ensure that the NHS, Skills for Health and NHS Employers work together to actively promote a skilled and flexible workforce and improve the quality of healthcare through appropriate Apprenticeship training programmes." The wider healthcare workforce is essential to improving productivity and quality of patient experience. Properly engaging support staff demonstrates their valuable contribution within the NHS and will widen the range of young people coming into the sector with the added potential of progressing to a professional career. John Hayes Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning said: "This is a tremendous example of joined up Government, with health and skills policies working in tandem. I have made it a top priority to put Apprenticeships at the heart of our approach to improve skills in the workforce because I know employers and apprentices value them so highly. "These Apprenticeships will equip NHS staff with all the skills they need to do their vital jobs and help them progress through their career more quickly. It is also a timely reminder that Apprenticeships are now available in around 200 occupations and are no longer only about traditional trades in the private sector." |
Department of Health to invest £10m in the NHS Apprenticeship programme