The healthcare sector is experiencing a significant skills gap, worsened by an ageing population, technological advancements, and an under resourced and stretched workforce that struggles to meet these evolving demands.
Apprenticeship degrees, which are often underutilised in the sector, offer a promising solution to the growing skills crisis, by providing a means to upskill staff while addressing the immediate needs of healthcare organisations.
Stacey Hayes-Allen, Director of Corporate Partnerships at Arden University, explores how the healthcare sector can leverage apprenticeships to bridge the widening skills gap.
Addressing talent shortfalls
A staggering 80% of UK employers report difficulties in finding the talent they need, with the healthcare sector being particularly affected. The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan aims to tackle these workforce challenges through training, retention and reform. A key component of this strategy is the significant expansion of apprenticeship programmes. The plan aims to increase the proportion of clinical staff training through apprenticeship routes from 7% to 22% by 2031/32, with an interim target of 16% by 2028/29.
Apprenticeships not only help to address workforce shortages, but they also provide opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds to enter the healthcare field. This approach can make the NHS more inclusive and representative of the communities it serves, enhancing its ability to address health disparities.
Leveraging apprenticeships to enhance skills
Beyond addressing the workforce shortage, the healthcare sector faces a critical need for upskilling. Technological advancements and digital transformation are reshaping healthcare delivery, requiring a workforce that is adept at navigating a data-rich environment. According to the Topol Review, by 2040, 90% of NHS roles will require some element of digital skills. This highlights the importance of providing accessible training opportunities to enhance digital competencies among healthcare professionals.
Automation and technology have the potential to relieve administrative burdens, freeing up clinicians to focus on patient care. However, to work effectively alongside technology, healthcare professionals must be equipped to assess risks and benefits and manage teams in a tech-integrated environment.
The rise of integrated care systems further underscores the need for upskilling. As patients increasingly require support from multiple services and professionals, it’s essential to strengthen connectivity between health and social care providers. Effective management is crucial to ensure these systems meet the needs of the population, particularly as people live longer with more complex, long-term conditions.
A tailored healthcare solution
Apprenticeships can offer significant benefits for both employees and employers. For example, providing development opportunities for existing staff to gain the necessary skills and credentials for leadership roles in the sector can create a purpose-driven work environment that enhances employee retention and satisfaction.
However, partnering with an external training provider that understands the healthcare industry’s unique challenges is crucial. This will ensure teaching materials are tailored to the sector’s demands so that employees gain relevant knowledge that can be readily applied in their roles.
The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship offered by Arden University is an excellent example of a tailored programme, which is specifically designed to develop managers or those transitioning into management roles within healthcare. It covers essential topics, such as coaching and leadership, digital health leadership, compassionate leadership, fundamentals of health and care finance and the inclusion of NHS England’s Mary Seacole programme. All equipping NHS employees with the skills needed to meet current and future sector demands.
Flexible learning solutions
One of the main advantages of apprenticeships is their flexibility, allowing employees to pursue learning pathways that fit around their work and personal commitments. Degree apprenticeships, in particular, are designed to accommodate high workloads and the specific challenges faced by healthcare professionals. They provide a viable solution for employees seeking to balance career development with existing responsibilities.
Tim Farrington, an Orthodontic and Maxillofacial Technician at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, is currently working towards the Level 7 Senior Leadership Apprenticeship plus Executive MBA contextualised Health and Care Programme with Arden University.
Speaking about the importance of flexibility when it comes to his professional development, Tim says: “I’ve been looking for courses to develop my career for a long time. My partner and I have five children, which means outside of work I am incredibly busy. I needed a course which was flexible and affordable. Doing an online apprenticeship degree, therefore, was ideal for me. It allowed me to fit my development around my work and family life.”
To support employees in their learning journey, healthcare organisations must also provide the necessary resources and support. This includes offering regular coaching sessions and ensuring that employees have access to the assistance they need to succeed. Degree apprenticeships can be demanding, particularly for individuals who have been out of education for some time. However, by creating a supportive learning environment, organisations can help employees achieve their personal and professional goals.
The value of talent development
The healthcare sector must address several critical challenges, including improving diversity, boosting staff engagement, developing leaders and meeting changing patient needs. Degree apprenticeships offer a comprehensive solution to these issues by enabling organisations to develop and upskill their talent effectively.
Investing in talent development is an essential component of organisational resilience. While training and upskilling require time and resources, they ultimately yield significant returns on investment. Apprenticeship degrees provide a cost-effective tool for developing the skills needed to meet the sector’s evolving demands.
By embracing apprenticeships, the healthcare sector can build a workforce that’s equipped to deliver high-quality care in a rapidly changing environment. These programmes offer a pathway to address the skills gap, enhance patient outcomes and ensure that healthcare organisations remain resilient in the face of future challenges.
