From March, current and aspiring diagnostic radiographers will have the opportunity to gain a degree whilst working.
The intensive 33-month course has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council as well as by the College of Radiographers.
It will provide apprentices with the opportunity to train as a diagnostic radiographer alongside other health professions on the degree apprenticeship route, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, and will lead to a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography.
The course has been designed in consultation with employers from primary and secondary care, local government and the private sector across Yorkshire and the Humber, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The announcement comes during National Apprenticeship Week, the annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships which is running this year on the theme of ‘Build the Future’.
Colette Fegan, Deputy Head of Sheffield Hallam's Department for Allied Health Professions, said: "This new degree apprenticeships is an exciting development for the diagnostic radiography profession. Staff shortages within the profession are leading to a stretched service and increased waiting times for diagnostics such as X-rays and CT scans.
“I am proud that we can use our extensive expertise in healthcare and longstanding partnerships here at Sheffield Hallam to provide employers with an additional route to train registered health care professionals or attract new talent to the healthcare workforce."
As part of Sheffield Hallam's National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships (NCEDA), the apprentices will attend up to six, two-week study blocks per year within the University's award-winning teaching facilities whilst the remaining time will be spent applying their learning within the workplace.
The employer's apprenticeship levy or co-funding will cover the course fees whilst apprentices will receive a salary as they learn.
As one of the UK’s earliest adopters of degree apprenticeships in 2015, followed by the opening of the NCEDA, the University has been recognised as a pioneering hub for the innovation, design and delivery of degree apprenticeships with more than 1,500 apprentices enrolled onto its courses.
Working with over 500 employers, apprenticeship courses are available within a range of sectors including construction, engineering, health and social care and cross sector in digital/IT, leadership and management.
Courses are developed in consultation with key partners, including industry leaders, SMEs, and the Local Enterprise Partnership and employers such as Network Rail, Rolls Royce, JCB and Nestle are already working with the NCEDA.
Conor Moss, Group Director and Dean of Work Based Learning at Sheffield Hallam, said: "Degree apprenticeships provide more routes to success for more people, and is an important vehicle for increasing social mobility for those who need it most. Our courses are designed to address skills gaps in priority sectors - helping to drive regional and national economic growth.
"At a time when the health sector faces a workforce crisis, this new degree apprenticeship in diagnostic radiography provides an opportunity for health sector employers to recruit new, career-ready professionals or develop the skills and capabilities of their existing workforce."
For further information please contact business@shu.ac.uk
