Apprenticeships

We are committed to developing a talented and skilled workforce and actively promote training and development within the organisation.

A clear element to us becoming an ‘Employer of Choice’ is to home grow our workforce of the future. Apprenticeships enable us to do this.

We're committed to supporting local people and our existing workforce through apprenticeship qualifications, as we recognise the huge value this adds to our organisation.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is an integrated work-based training and development programme which develops the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the apprentice and ultimately leads to a nationally accredited qualification. The apprenticeship consists of both theory and practice, so much of the learning is developed in the workplace with off-the-job training, assessment and pastoral support provided.

The benefit of undertaking an apprenticeship is you can earn whilst you learn and have no training or tuition fees to pay. In addition, you will gain valuable experience in the workplace.

The minimum duration of an apprenticeship is 12 months and varies in term of duration, depending on the qualification and the apprentice’s relevant prior learning and/or work experience.

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Opportunities we offer

Apprenticeship opportunities are available to existing staff to help them develop their career and gain valuable skills and qualifications. We offer some opportunities for individuals to start their career with us as an apprentice. Any available entry apprenticeship opportunities will be advertised on our vacancies’ webpage: https://www.mse.nhs.uk/current-vacancies.

Apprenticeships can be studied in a range of occupational areas, including:

  • Allied health professions (e.g., operating department practice, physiotherapy, radiography)
  • Corporate services (e.g., business administration, finance, HR)
  • Digital services
  • Healthcare science
  • Leadership and management
  • Pharmacy
  • Nursing and midwifery.
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Allied Health Professionals pathway

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)

There are fourteen recognised allied health professions that play a crucial role in treating, rehabilitating, and improving the lives of patients. The Allied Health Professions (AHPs) are the third largest workforce in the NHS.

AHPs provide system-wide care to assess, treat, diagnose, and discharge patients across social care, housing, education, and independent and voluntary sectors. Through adopting a holistic approach to healthcare, AHPs can help manage patients’ care throughout the life course from birth to palliative care. Their focus is on prevention and improvement of health and wellbeing to maximise the potential for individuals to live full and active lives within their family circles, social networks, education/training, and the workplace.

For more information on allied health professionals please visit:

Are you already an AHP support worker or in an assistant role?

Or are you a school/college leaver with an interest in science and health care?

You will need to have the following:

  • Level 2 English and maths qualifications (GCSE, ‘O’ Level, CSE, Functional Skills)
  • Level 3 qualifications (48 UCAS points) - if you do not have experience of L3 study, please let us know as we can still process your application

If you are an internal member of staff, you will need the following:

  • To be in an assistant role
  • Completed your probation period
  • Your line manager’s support

If you do not have your qualifications in L2 English and maths, please contact us and we will help with enrolling in a FREE Functional Skills course. Email mse.functionalskills@nhs.net for further details.

Please visit these websites for job opportunities: 

Allied Health Professional Apprenticeships at MSE  

Current degree apprenticeships we offer at MSE are Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Healthcare Assistant Practitioner (Pathway specific), Radiographer (Diagnostic & Therapeutic), Dietician and Operating Department Practitioner.  

 

Business administration career pathway

Are you highly organised and enjoy problem solving? If you want to support the work of the NHS without caring directly for patients, you can develop your administrative career through a business-related apprenticeship:

Applying and joining us

You can apply for an entry-level administrative role.

If you’re successful, you’ll be recruited and complete your six-month probation.

Apprenticeship

You can discuss your career development with your line manager and identify a suitable apprenticeship – for example, L3 Business Administrator, L3 Data Technician, L3 Team Leader or Supervisor.

With the support of your line manager, you will complete the apprenticeship programme (typically, 1-2 years duration).

Completion and progression

On completion of the apprenticeship, you can discuss progression opportunities with your manager – by securing a more senior role, you can study higher-level apprenticeships in leadership and management to further develop your professional skills and develop your career.

Interested? Check out our vacancies!

If you are interested in starting a career with us in clinical or non-clinical roles, please visit our vacancies page to review and apply for both entry apprenticeship and substantive roles.

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Nursing career pathway

Are you a people person who enjoys helping others? If you have a passion for caring for others, you can train to be a registered nurse through a workbased learning route:

Applying and joining us

You can apply for a role as a Healthcare Assistant.

If your application is successful, you’ll be recruited and complete your six-month probation and NHS Care Certificate.

Functional Skills

If you decide to pursue nurse training, you can discuss applying to study on the 2-year Nursing Associate apprenticeship programme – you’ll need L2 qualifications in both English and maths (GCSE grade A-C / 9-4 or equivalent);   if you don’t have these certificate, you’ll be supported to achieve Functional Skills qualifications.

Progression

Once you complete the Nursing Associate apprenticeship, you’ll be able to work as a Band 4 Nursing Associate – taking on more clinical responsibilities than a Healthcare Assistant

You can either step off the training pathway and work as a Nursing Associate or discuss the opportunities to apply for the 2-year Nursing Degree top-up apprenticeship with your line manager.

Completion

Once you finish the Nursing Degree apprenticeship, you’ll be qualified to work as Band 5 Registered Nurse.

Interested? Get in touch!

If you are interested in starting your career in nursing, please contact the Trust’s recruitment team who will advise you about the rolling healthcare assistant recruitment programme: mse.recruitment@nhs.net.

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As someone who loves seeing our staff grow, the apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity to have a brighter future within the NHS. Our non-qualified healthcare professionals get offered this amazing opportunity to improve their skills, knowledge and behaviour, so they can provide better care to our patients.

The programme also adapts to the modern lifestyles, as those enrolled can work and study at the same, which makes for a very attractive offer that help us with our retention levels.

Jesus Benitez a Practice Education Facilitator in the Acute medical unit (AMU), Medical Same-Day Emergency Care (MSDEC) & Surgical Same-Day Emergency Care (SSDEC).

Public Sector Apprenticeship Target - Basildon University Hospital

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing training and development opportunities which provide employees with the skills, knowledge and experience they need.  We employ both new apprentices to the Trust, as well as offer apprenticeship programmes to our existing staff and are working towards, achieving the 2.3% target of our workforce undertaking an apprenticeship programme, over the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Reporting period: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Number of employees who work in England
Number of employees who were working in England on 31 March 2022 5203
Number of employees who were working in England on 31 March 2023 5752
Number of new employees who started working for you in England between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 903

 

Number of apprentices who work in England

Number of apprentices who were working in England on 31 March 2022 148
Number of apprentices who were working in England on 31 March 2023 131
Number of new apprentices in England between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 (includes both new hires and existing employees who started an apprenticeship) 66

 

 

 

Reporting percentages

Percentage of apprenticeship starts (both new hires and existing employees who started an apprenticeship) as a proportion of employment starts between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 1.27%

Public Sector Apprenticeship Target - Broomfield Hospital

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing training and development opportunities which provide employees with the skills, knowledge and experience they need.  We employ both new apprentices to the Trust, as well as offer apprenticeship programmes to our existing staff and are working towards, achieving the 2.3% target of our workforce undertaking an apprenticeship programme, over the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Reporting period: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023

Number of employees who work in England
Number of employees who were working in England on 31 March 2022 5183
Number of employees who were working in England on 31 March 2023 5387
Number of new employees who started working for you in England between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 828

 

Number of apprentices who work in England
Number of apprentices who were working in England on 31 March 2022 161
Number of apprentices who were working in England on 31 March 2023 127
Number of new apprentices in England between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 (includes both new hires and existing employees who started an apprenticeship) 59

 

Reporting percentages

Percentage of apprenticeship starts (both new hires and existing employees who started an apprenticeship) as a proportion of employment starts between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 1.14%

Public Sector Apprenticeship Target - Southend University Hospital

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is committed to providing training and development opportunities which provide employees with the skills, knowledge and experience they need.  We employ both new apprentices to the Trust, as well as offer apprenticeship programmes to our existing staff and are working towards, achieving the 2.3% target of our workforce undertaking an apprenticeship programme, over the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

Reporting period: 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2023

Number of employees who work in England
Number of employees who were working in England on 31 March 2022 5350
Number of employees who were working in England on 31 March 2023 5607
Number of new employees who started working for you in England between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 856

 

Number of apprentices who work in England
Number of apprentices who were working in England on 31 March 2022 149
Number of apprentices who were working in England on 31 March 2023 117
Number of new apprentices in England between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 (includes both new hires and existing employees who started an apprenticeship) 58

 

Reporting percentages

Percentage of apprenticeship starts (both new hires and existing employees who started an apprenticeship) as a proportion of employment starts between 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 1.08%