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Funding of £172m to coach hundreds extra apprentice nurses in England has been introduced by the federal government.
The Division of Well being and Social Care stated the cash will enable healthcare employers to tackle as much as 2,000 nursing diploma apprentices yearly over the subsequent 4 years.
It stated this may assist make the profession extra accessible.
The Royal School of Nursing welcomed the transfer however stated the plans didn’t go far sufficient.
‘Rising curiosity’
Nursing apprenticeships provide an alternative choice to full-time college programs, permitting individuals to earn a wage whereas their tuition prices are paid.
On the finish of the programmes – which normally take 4 years – apprentices are capable of qualify as absolutely registered nurses.
The federal government stated its funding would allow extra employers to satisfy the prices of taking over apprentices and assist it ship its goal of 50,000 extra nurses by 2024-25.
Each the NHS and different healthcare employers will obtain £8,300 per placement per 12 months for brand spanking new and current apprenticeships below the scheme.
It comes because the variety of individuals in search of data on nursing on the NHS careers web site rose by 138% between March and June, the DHSC stated.
Well being Secretary Matt Hancock stated: “I am thrilled to see a rising curiosity in nursing careers, however we should guarantee this incredible profession is really various and open to all.”
Gillian Keegan, apprenticeships and abilities minister stated: “Apprenticeships are a superb method for anybody, no matter their background, to kick begin their profession or to progress.”
Nonetheless, Mike Adams, the union’s nursing director for England, stated wider funding was wanted to teach sufficient registered nurses.
The RCN referred to as on ministers to scrap tuition charges for nursing college students who select to coach at college.
He added: “It is usually the case {that a} full-time, three-year nursing diploma stays the quickest approach to ship a registered nurse by means of schooling.”
NHS and social care employers at present practice round 1,000 nurse apprentices yearly.
Nurses had been amongst hundreds of NHS employees who took to the streets throughout the UK on Saturday to demand higher wages for employees.
