Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) is proud to be a national finalist at the annual FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2023. The award nomination for ‘Health and Science Apprenticeship provider of the year’. comes in recognition of BTC’s health and nursing apprenticeship offerings.

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeships delivered by the College’s higher education offer, University Centre Somerset, have been particularly recognised for their innovative approach to developing a one-system, locally owned approach to Somerset’s future nursing workforce.

With this provision allowing students to train locally while earning, nursing career ambitions for aspiring nurses in Somerset have become more attainable. Learners can complete their qualifications without having to uproot or travel long distances, therefore building a ‘home grown’ nursing workforce and reducing the need for costly external and international recruitment. Amongst those who have enrolled onto the Apprenticeship programme are students progressing from BTC, parents returning to education, and NHS employees looking to upskill. As of July 2022, 70 Registered Nurse Degree Apprentices had been recruited – 30 from existing NHS staff and 40 new to healthcare.

At every stage, the College has prioritised their relationship with our local employers and striven to be responsive to our needs. The strength and persistence of this working relationship has led to a true partnership approach at all levels, from the support for individual learners through to senior leadership. The opportunities it presents are life changing for many and critically important to secure the skills that we desperately need in our future workforce.

Helen Stapleton, Somerset Integrated Care System Workforce Programme Manager.

Find out more about Nursing Opportunities at BTC and UCS here. Find a list of FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2023 finalists here.