It has been another exciting year for health sector apprenticeships and a busy year at Skills for Health and NHS England supporting employers in delivering quality apprenticeships.
Looking back on 2024, here are a few of the highlights on HASO over the past year.
The HASO website
HASO is constantly being reviewed to ensure it continues to be the best place to navigate apprenticeships in the health sector.
In February we launched the Long-Term Workforce Plan Hub. This hub aims to support employers with the aspirations set out in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and guides employers through each step of the apprenticeship process. Visit the hub to learn more about planning, funding, recruitment and more. Check out our principles for developing an apprenticeship strategy. 
October saw the introduction of a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) section to the Long Term Workforce Plan Hub. Learn more about HTQ’s, access fantastic resources and case studies.
Ensuring HASO is as user friendly as possible remains high priority. The website continues to be streamlined, making information easier to find and dropdown menus introduced for each of the main sections, making pages easier to navigate. HASO has received a makeover on some pages including the case studies page and resources section, grouping more relatable topics together and making it easier for users to navigate and find the information or resource they are after.
Case Studies
Showcasing inspirational stories has always been an important feature of HASO and this year has been no exception. The website has been updated with a wide range of case studies, sharing apprentice stories, employer exemplars as well as focussing on areas such as the Higher Development Award and T-Levels.
Looking back on 2024 ‘Case Studies of the Week’:
Maddison White was part of the first cohort of Level 7 Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) apprentices at the Kent and Medway NHS Partnership Trust.
Maddison said:
“For me, an apprenticeship fit well with my work-life balance. I am always seeking to learn new things especially in regards to mental health and wellbeing. By being able to learn at university for one day a week and then being able to apply the skills/theory I have learnt at university to my job really helps consolidate the learning process – I am much more of a visual/practical learner so it suits me perfectly!” Read her full story here.
Lucy Brewes is a Level 7 Academic Professional Apprentice with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Lucy said:
“I have enjoyed a lot of aspects of my apprenticeship. Having the opportunity to gain such a respected qualification in higher education, whilst being paid and working in my job is the first positive.” Read her full story here.
Other case studies from 2024 include:
- Primary Care apprentices Jessica Irwell and Sharon Turner
- T- Level case studies: Harry Stallwood, Mateusz Bat, Alicia Dickinson and Kavita Pawar
- Trainee Nursing Associate Ambassador Programme – Case Study
Looking Back on 2024 Resources
HASO hosts a range of handy printables to guide you. Check out just some of the new ones published this year that you may have missed. 
A Managers Guide to Health and Care Apprenticeships, covering the following topics:
- What is an apprenticeship?
- Contract of employment
- Apprenticeship qualifications
- Off the job training
- English and maths functional skills
- Apprenticeships – employer implementation flowchart
The ‘Understanding Apprenticeships’ series includes printables and documents to help people understand different parts of an apprenticeship, whether that’s roles & responsibilities, the benefits if taking on an apprentice, how to fund the salary of an apprentice and many more. You can find HASO guides, printables and infographics here.
Apprenticeship Standards – new and revised
In 2024 Skills for Health facilitated Trailblazer groups in the development of these new apprenticeship standards, all of which are now ready for delivery:
- Level 6 Dental Hygienist Apprenticeship Standard
- Level 6 Orthoptist Apprenticeship standard
- Level 7 Family and Systemic Psychotherapist apprenticeship standard
Other apprenticeship standards were revised and new funding bands published to ensure they remain fit for purpose:
- Level 3 Dental Nurse (GDC 2023)
- Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker
- Level 4 Orthodontic Therapist
- Level 5 Clinical Dental Technician
- Level 5 Dental Technician
- Level 6 Healthcare Science Practitioner
- Level 6 Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
As we come towards the end of 2024, and look forward to 2025, we would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has contributed to the HASO website and all those who have been involved in healthcare Trailblazers and wish you a happy and peaceful holiday season.