Welcoming our first degree apprentices to the profession

Apprentices are employees who ‘earn while they learn’, they combine on-the-job training and experience with off-the-job learning. Physiotherapy degree apprenticeships enable widening participation and social mobility whilst upholding high standards of learning and development for all parts of the physiotherapy workforce. 

The CSP is supportive of all physiotherapy apprenticeships, for support workers, pre-registration, and post-graduate development. They provide an opportunity to respond to changing population/patient, service delivery, workforce and professional development needs whilst informing strategic approaches to workforce planning, development and investment. 

Coventry University and Sheffield Hallam University were part of the physiotherapy trailblazer group and were the first programmes to develop entry level degree apprenticeships. This article marks a milestone achievement as we welcome our first degree apprentices from Sheffield Hallam University into the profession. Congratulations to the apprentices, programme team, employers and all others that supported along the way.

Student voice: Susan Spink 

‘My name is Susan Spink. Almost 30 years ago I chose a career in the care sector. I started that career as a cleaner in a care home. Over the years I had jobs in various care homes, working my way up the ladder by completing my NVQs until I eventually became a deputy manager of a care home.  

‘However, 13 years ago I suffered a breakdown. During this time I was able to reflect on the reason for my breakdown and decided to leave the private sector and pursue a career in the NHS. 

‘I secured a band 3 post with the district nurses and stayed there for four years before moving on to a post as a band 3 rehabilitation assistant with a falls service. This is where my career choice changed direction again as I enjoyed being a part of a team that was involved in the rehabilitation of patients in a community setting. It was rewarding seeing my patients progress and gain confidence.  

‘During my time with the falls service my line manager suggested I apply for the degree apprenticeship in physiotherapy. I was 50 years old at the time and never expected to be successful in my application but here I am killing it! 

‘At the tender age of 53 I am now a qualified physiotherapist. Being a mature student has not been without its challenges as learning and the way you are taught is different to my experience of education. Getting to grips with technology, having to revise and get the grey matter motivated into action took a little while. However, it also has its advantages. My children are grown up, so I have time to myself, and I am past the stage where I find going out to fulfil my social needs more interesting. 

‘I hope I am an advocate for mature students having that silent debate with themselves over whether they should or shouldn’t go for it! 

‘I will admit that it is difficult at times to find a work-study-life balance but with self-discipline, good time management and the willingness to learn it is achievable. 

My knowledge and experience in physiotherapy has magnified beyond my expectations!’

Student voice: Holly Walton-Wallace

‘I’m Holly and I work in a private physiotherapy clinic in Hull called Flex Health. I was finishing a degree in sport rehabilitation when my now employer asked if I would be interested in the degree apprenticeship through Flex Health. I knew achieving the physiotherapy qualification would help with progression in my career, whatever route I decided to take. I have not looked back since and feel proud to have been one of the first on this journey, alongside my employers Matthew Booth and Alex Chester, who is my work-based mentor.  

‘Taking this pathway has many advantages, including being paid throughout studying, continuously applying knowledge learned in lectures to real life situations and being able to develop transferable skills in a work environment. Although it is not an easy route, you need to be organised and quickly develop time management skills with juggling placement, university, work and a social life.  

‘Putting your learning into practice immediately is the key factor that makes this course stand out for me. It may seem daunting but there is no better way to learn than in ‘real life’ and it allows you to consolidate your knowledge. A key piece of advice is to build a good rapport with your work-based mentor because you need to liaise throughout the course, especially not being in work all the time, as well as have a support network.  

‘I enjoyed the course and with a variety of placements, it has helped me focus on a pathway for a future career!’

Holly’s employer

‘Holly has been our first therapist from the clinic who has gone through the apprenticeship degree. It has been a really positive experience for us, so much so that another therapist has just started his training, too. We have been able to facilitate Holly’s learning in a much more proactive way as well as see her progress in skills, confidence and knowledge, that she is able to transfer straight to our client base. 

‘It was difficult at first to get used to the therapist being away for such large blocks of time, as we are a smaller clinic compared to the public sector. However, as long as you keep a good line of communication between the student, work-based mentor and employer, there is no reason that it cannot work. 

‘We both felt that we were supported by the university throughout the process, particularly through the uncertainty of Covid and placement allocations. Overall, I would urge employers to consider this pathway for employees.’

Matthew Booth and Alex Chester, founders of Flex Health, Hull 

I would urge employers to consider this pathway for employees. The apprentices gain more experience in soft skills as well as physiotherapy skills, which clinically makes them a much more holistic therapist.

The DA programmes in England: 

1. Teesside Universty
2. Sheffield Hallam University
3. University of Salford
4. University of Huddersfield
5. University College Birmingham
6. Coventry University (campus also in London)
7. University of the West of England
8. University of East London