HCSW Rotational Apprenticeship Pilot: Invitation to Bedfordshire ASC providers

An exciting opportunity has arisen for adult residential and nursing care providers to join in the proposed rotational apprenticeship pilot across Bedfordshire.

During 2022, health and social care partners across Bedfordshire and Luton are planning to launch a rotational apprenticeship where apprentices will undertake placements in care settings and the NHS, rotating through these settings so that they gain greater experience of support worker roles in our local area.

This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase all that is great about working in adult social care and for providers to see if apprenticeships could offer another way to attract new staff into the care sector.

Apprenticeships are an excellent alternative to degree courses, as you learn as you earn and at the lower apprenticeship, programmes allow students of any age without any qualifications to get into employment.  Equally, they are about giving employers the tools to enhance their workforce capabilities – a win-win for learners and organisations alike.

The aim is to run this pilot for Level 2 and Level 3 apprentices starting in 2022. The three Bedfordshire Local Authorities and the Bedfordshire Care Group Ltd are keen to hear from local authority commissioned care providers within Bedfordshire & Luton who would be interested in taking part.  This could either be as an employer of an apprentice or to offer a placement for six months for the L2 or L3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Programme.

For non-levy paying care providers, a levy transfer would be available to pay for the apprentice’s learning programme.  Other cost considerations (as wages, on boarding, travel, uniform etc.) are in discussion for a centralised funding pot.  A pilot coordinator will oversee the pilot and act as liaison between pilot partners, as well as coach, mentor and wellbeing support for the apprentices.

For more information and to express your interest please email: BLMK Workforce Development Academy