Workforce issues
The case for healthcare apprenticeships
From January 2026, public funding for level 7 (master’s level) apprenticeships will disappear for most adults, yet over 60% of current learners fall outside the new age caps. For healthcare, this risks stalling leadership progress, widening skills gaps and slowing much-needed digital transformation, warns Steven Hurst, Director of Corporate Learning at Arden University.
For many businesses, apprenticeships play a vital role in building a skilled and loyal workforce. At their core, apprenticeships address two persistent business challenges: skills shortages and high employee turnover. But for the healthcare industry, they also help
with other key challenges, such as adapting to digital transformation and diversifying senior leadership teams. In fact, 73% of Trust leaders cite funding and financial constraints as a barrier to digital transformation, so it’s understandable if the changes to apprenticeship funding seems daunting. In this article, Steven Hurst, Director of
Corporate Learning at Arden University, looks at the upcoming changes to apprenticeship funding and explains how those in the healthcare industry can navigate these to ensure they’re still able to upskill and retain employees.
How apprenticeships help the healthcare sector to shine “Unlike traditional education routes, apprenticeships allow employers to tailor training to the specific needs of their organisation, ensuring staff are equipped with the exact expertise their role demands,” explains Steven. “At the same time, employees benefit from earning while they learn, creating a stronger sense of engagement and alignment with the company’s long-term goals.” By investing in an individual’s professional
development, organisations cultivate loyalty and talent retention, reducing recruitment costs in the long term. “For younger talent in particular, the opportunity to obtain a degree- level qualification without accruing student debt is highly attractive: a win-win scenario for both employers and employees,” adds Steven.
With apprenticeships also enabling
organisations to diversify their workforce and upskill existing staff for leadership roles, they remain an effective strategy for future-proofing essential talent pipelines. However, significant changes are coming to the funding model for level 7 degree apprenticeships which will mean employers need to adapt quickly.
Upcoming changes to level 7 apprenticeship funding From January 2026, public funding for level 7 apprenticeships, via the Apprenticeship Levy, will no longer be available for new starters aged 22 and older. Young people with additional support needs, such as care leavers or those who hold an education, health and care plan (EHCP), will continue to be eligible until the age of 25. Level 6 apprenticeship funding will remain available under the current system.
The numbers at a glance The data speaks volumes about the potential changes that businesses will need to prepare for. According to the most recent academic year figures, only 2% of level 7 apprenticeship starts were for individuals under 19 years old. Meanwhile, 34% fell within the 19 to 24-year- old age group, leaving more than 60% of apprenticeship candidates outside the scope of funding eligibility from 2026. Popular level 7 apprenticeships set
to be affected include the senior leader apprenticeship, which may impact the healthcare sector due the unique senior leadership challenges it faces. Healthcare leadership remains
disproportionately white and male, particularly at board level, undermining efforts for a truly representative healthcare system. Existing leadership teams have also struggled to implement scalable digital transformation, due to legacy systems and a lack of investment, and
September 2025 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 77
t
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
