To meet the ambitions set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan for the growth of degree apprenticeships in the NHS and the aim that, by 2031, 22% of all training for clinical staff will be via apprenticeships compared to 7% in 22/23, it has been identified that supply and pipeline of Level 2 & Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprentices will be critical.
University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust have pioneered a trailblazing overhaul of their recruitment of healthcare support workers and the Trust now has an established route through to registered roles via apprenticeships well embedded for HCSWs (Healthcare Support Worker) and this has proved to be a successful tool to help retain staff and create a secure workforce pipeline from support worker to registrant.