Over the last few months, ULHT has been leading the trailblazing group helping to develop the standards and end point assessments of the programmes which will give more opportunities for staff to develop and progress in their careers.
The courses allow apprentices to complete a BSc (Hons) degree qualification whilst working within the services, and after successful qualification they will become eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registrations as occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
Now that the apprenticeships have been approved, ULHT will be working with neighbouring Trusts and universities to ensure apprenticeship roles and programmes are available for people from Lincolnshire to access.
It is hoped that these new degree apprenticeships will help to see an increased number of registered physiotherapists and occupational therapists being trained at ULHT as well as across England.
These programmes will give opportunities for ULHT staff working as support workers who have proven they can give high quality care to patients and have the ability to meet the academic demands of the degree, but may not hold the traditional academic qualifications required to meet the entry requirements for university.
Anita Cooper, Clinical Lead for Therapies and Rehabilitation at ULHT said: “I am absolutely thrilled we now have these programmes approved by the Institute For Apprenticeships (IFA).
“The apprenticeships will facilitate the training and recruitment of the additional staff we need, as well as providing new opportunities for local people to join our professions.
“They will also provide a different opportunity for people to enter the professions, widening access and enabling employers to grow their own workforce to meet local needs.”