MORE than 3,000 people started NHS apprenticeships in the North West over the past year, helping to boost staffing levels and contributing to direct and indirect care to local communities.

This week marks National Apprenticeship Week (9 to 15 February), and NHS England in the North West is encouraging people to consider an NHS apprenticeship and a chance to build a rewarding career while providing outstanding care.

Last year, 3,388 people started NHS apprenticeships across the North West in roles ranging from administration to nursing assistants. This number represents more than 12% of the total NHS apprenticeships in England.

Prior to undertaking a level six apprenticeship in Physiotherapy Intermediate Care at Bridgewater Community NHS Trust, Gareth White worked as a therapy assistant at the trust for five years. For Gareth, this was an opportunity to progress his career and become a qualified physiotherapist without having to compromise on earning a salary.

“I had already worked for the trust as a therapy assistant for five years before the opportunity came up to undertake the apprenticeship and train to be a qualified physiotherapist,” he said. “The best thing is that I have been able to continue to earn a salary while I learn.

“Being an apprentice means I can be transferring what I learn at university straight into practice within my work role. My advice to anyone thinking about an apprenticeship is don’t consider, just do it.”

Gary Nicholson is an Advanced Practitioner in Acute Medicine at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS FT who joined the NHS back in 2013 as a registered nurse.

Gary said: “I completed an apprenticeship in Advanced Practice MSc, which provided me with the skills and experience to grow in my career. I chose this route because it was highly supported via the organisation, gave me career progression whilst being supervised throughout my programme.”

Speaking about work and life balance, Gary said: “Work and life balance is always a challenge throughout such programmes. However, I was supported by my family and supervisors, with flexible working hours when necessary. I would also recommend an apprenticeship to others as you are supported via your employer, providing you with a secure way of progressing in your career.”

Some apprentices embark on studies to secure advanced qualifications to top off several years of experience working in their fields. One such person is Becky Brownlow, Training Hub Manager at the Cheshire and Merseyside Training Hub.

Becky is currently undertaking a Level 7 Senior Leader in Healthcare apprenticeship with Cranfield University, alongside the Rosalind Franklin Leadership Programme. She chose her apprenticeship because she wanted a qualification that matched her leadership responsibilities.

She said: “I had built my career almost entirely through experience, but I felt I needed a degree-level qualification to give me confidence and credibility at a strategic level.

“The application process was thorough and made me reflect on how far I’ve come, but I was worried that stepping into Level 7 would be too hard or that I might feel inadequate especially as I haven’t even done A-levels. I wanted a qualification that would match the experience and responsibilities I have built through my career so far, and something that would push me to think differently about leadership.”

Mark Wight, Health Equity Professional Development Manager at Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, also embarked on an apprenticeship to acquire an advanced qualification after having joined the NHS in 2019.

He said: “Despite the challenges of completing an apprenticeship, my experience has been extremely rewarding. I feel that the apprenticeship has provided an opportunity for me to learn from and network with a wide range of colleagues from various organisations and allowed me to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become an effective leader in a health and care setting.”

Marks efforts paid off and he was shortlisted last year for Non-Clinical Apprentice of the Year award at the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Awards 2025.

Advising people thinking about starting an apprenticeship, Marks suggests talking to someone who is doing the apprenticeship to learn about their experience and the challenges that they faced and finding a good mentor to advise and support you.

Chris Cutts, Regional Director of Workforce, Training and Education at NHS England North West, said: “Apprenticeships offer an excellent way for people to access many of the 350 NHS careers, from healthcare assistant to digital technology apprenticeships. These apprenticeships will develop their skills and expertise leading them into a long career in the NHS with plenty of development throughout.

“There are a range of opportunities at different levels, meaning no matter what your current situation is, there’s a place for you. Whatever apprenticeship you choose, you’ll make a big difference to patient care from day one and be sure of a rewarding career.”​

Apprenticeships are a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning meaning you can earn while you learn. Apprentices usually spend four days on a work placement and one day at a training centre or college. They can take between one and five years to complete. Many NHS apprentices are also offered a permanent job at the end of their learning. ​

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is the biggest week in the apprenticeships and skills calendar. It takes place from 9 to 15 February 2026. The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring.​

If you think the NHS could be the career for you, search ‘NHS careers’ to find out more about the range of roles within the NHS and how to apply.

More information on NHS apprenticeships is available here.