Alyson Hwang
Education and Skills Senior Researcher, Policy Connect
Apprenticeships in healthcare offer a promising avenue to address NHS staffing challenges while providing valuable career opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals.
The NHS, the UK’s largest employer, is facing an unprecedented staffing crisis. With over 107,000 vacancies in secondary care alone, including nearly 8,000 medical posts,1 the need for innovative solutions to increase staff levels is pressing.
Healthcare apprenticeship pathway
Healthcare apprenticeships are a vocational pathway into various healthcare occupations, widening the talent pool and attracting individuals who may prefer hands-on learning to traditional academic routes. These structured learning programmes lead to recognised qualifications, allowing apprentices to develop specialist knowledge and keep pace with the latest healthcare technologies and practices.
Healthcare apprenticeships
are a vocational pathway into
various healthcare occupations.
Government apprenticeship expansion plans
The new Government has taken initial steps to bolster the NHS workforce through apprenticeships, evident in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. The Government aims to provide 22% of all clinical staff training through apprenticeship routes by 2031/32, up from just 7% currently.2 The Government is also expanding training places for nursing associates to 10,500 by 2031/32. Additionally, medical degree apprenticeships are being launched across the nation, with pilots starting in 2024/25.2
The Government can ensure broader access to high-quality healthcare training by optimising existing resources. Instead of relying on increased funding, policies should prioritise flexible learning options like part-time and remote programmes, accommodating diverse learner needs.
Collaborating with educational institutions to create seamless pathways from apprenticeships to higher qualifications is also a key part of the puzzle. To further explore options to support the Government’s ambitious mission for healthcare apprenticeships, the Higher Education Commission and Policy Connect are launching a new inquiry into education and training for the healthcare sector.
Creating opportunities and addressing staffing
By embracing apprenticeships and implementing supportive policies, the UK can address the NHS staffing crisis while creating valuable opportunities for individuals to build rewarding careers in healthcare. This approach not only helps fill critical vacancies but also ensures a diverse, skilled and motivated workforce to secure the NHS’ future.
[1] British Medical Association, 2025. NHS medical staffing data analysis.
[2] NHS England, 2023. NHS Long Term Workforce Plan.
