National Apprenticeship Week – 9 to 15 February 2026

Since 2024, in partnership with Calderdale and Kirklees places and the University of Huddersfield, the Wakefield System Workforce Programme Management Office (PMO) have been able to offer the Level 5 (Foundation Degree) and Level 7 (Master’s Level) Professional Manager Apprenticeship programmes with content specifically tailored to those employed in the health and care sector.

In collaboration with the University of Huddersfield, we were also able to facilitate the use of the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Scheme, where necessary, so no part of the system was excluded from this opportunity.

Over the last two years we have seen 37 delegates over three cohorts from a variety of partners across the health and care system in Wakefield commence this programme.

Following changes to national funding arrangements for Level 7 apprenticeships from January 2026, we are no longer able to offer the Level 7 programme, although we have seen some great successes along the way.

Mymy Del Rosario, Matron for Workforce, Inclusion and Education Adult Community Services for Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust was recently a delegate on the Level 7 Professional Manager Apprenticeship programme at the University of Huddersfield.

In her own words Mymy outlines what she has gained from the whole experience and how this has impacted upon her personal development and her everyday role:

“National Apprenticeship Week recognises how apprenticeships are strengthening leadership, organisational capability and long-term workforce sustainability. As an apprentice on the Level 7 Senior Leader Programme at the University of Huddersfield, I have developed deeper insight into systems leadership, inclusive culture and evidence-informed decision making, alongside significant personal growth in self-awareness and reflective leadership. This learning directly enhances my role as Matron for Workforce, Inclusion and Education within Adult Community Services at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust. The experience demonstrates how purposeful organisational investment in apprenticeships actively supports workforce development, enabling compassionate leadership, strategic thinking and closer alignment with the shared priorities of our integrated health and care system.

Turning learning into action has already led to meaningful improvements across community services. Initiatives include making workforce training more accessible and inclusive, leading a district-wide hydration campaign to strengthen patient safety and wellbeing, and advancing collaborative training with care homes to build clinical capability and shared learning across organisational boundaries. These outcomes show how apprenticeship learning can move beyond theory to deliver tangible benefits for staff, services and local communities, reinforcing the vital role organisations play in championing apprenticeships as a driver of improvement, partnership working and sustainable workforce growth across West Yorkshire.”

Moving forward, the System Workforce PMO will continue to support the Level 5 Professional Manager Apprenticeship. This programme focusses on supporting aspiring or new managers to gain a broad range of practical knowledge and skills. Upon completion of the Level 5 Professional Manager Apprenticeship, learners will be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education Professional and they will be Chartered Management Institute registered.

The programme is a 19-month, Level 5 apprenticeship based on a blended delivery model of classroom learning, remote online learning and work-based projects and tasks.

The content helps individuals to build on their skills in three specific areas:

• Managing Organisations
• Managing People
• Managing Operations and Projects

Following the success of this programme Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield Place workforce teams are in discussions with University of Huddersfield to consider additional bespoke apprenticeships.

Find out more about the apprenticeship standard on the Skills England website.  You can also visit the University of Huddersfield programme page.

If you would like further information prior to the next cohort, please contact the System Workforce PMO team wyicb-wak.peopleplan@nhs.net.