Leaders from one Leicester’s largest further education colleges met with Leicester’s Hospitals bosses this week (Wednesday, 26 April) to discuss a new contract to deliver apprenticeship to train over 340 NHS workers.

The group gathered at Leicester College Freemen’s Campus for a tour of the facilities before sitting down to discuss the next steps and priorities for delivering successful apprenticeships to staff working across Leicester’s Hospitals.

In June 2015, the Government announced it would create three million new apprenticeships by 2020 to widen employment opportunities to address skills gaps in the labour market.

As a result, the Government introduced the new Apprenticeship Levy in April 2017. The levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill over £3 million each year, to invest in apprenticeships. As a result, Leicester’s Hospitals is changing the way apprenticeships are delivered across the Trust.

Senior Learning & Development Manager, Sharon Baines, explains: “This announcement has brought significant changes to how we deliver apprenticeships within the health sector, including the introduction of new roles and changes to how training for apprenticeships will be funded.

“The role of the apprentice is not just focussed on getting young people into work. There is now an opportunity to employ or retrain staff on an apprenticeship as a way of meeting the challenges that lie ahead for the NHS.”

During the meeting, the group discussed preparations around the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, workforce analysis linked to job roles and new apprenticeship standards, as well as planning and prioritising and communications for staff and education leads.

Director of Workforce & Organisational Development for Leicester’s Hospitals, Louise Tibbert, added: “Apprenticeship programmes are a cost-effective way to create a skilled, flexible and motivated workforce and can help staff keep pace with developments in technology and working practices within healthcare.

“This exciting new partnership with Leicester College is fundamental to delivering the qualifications our staff will need to complete their apprenticeships alongside their practical work experience.”

Apprenticeships are offered from Intermediate to Degree level with roles available in healthcare and clinic support, finance, HR, administration, leadership and management, IT, facilities, engineering among others (a more comprehensive list is available below).

Principal of Leicester College, Verity Hancock, added: “Apprenticeships are an increasingly popular opportunity to earn, gain work experience and achieve nationally recognised qualifications at the same time.  The educational support we offer within the new framework will give people a chance to embark on a new career or develop skills within existing roles within the NHS.”

To view current apprenticeship vacancies, please visit www.jobsatleicestershospitals.nhs.uk. Existing staff are to see all our current vacancies. Current hospital staff are also encouraged to speak to their line manager or a member of the Learning & Organisational Development team about professional development opportunities.