Pay protected for NHS staff starting apprenticeships

Health workers were previously put off the programme because some employers expected them to take a wage cut

Health workers were previously put off the programme because some employers expected them to take a wage cut

NHS staff who become apprentices with the employer will not suffer a pay cut under a deal struck with trade unions.

The policy, which came into force on July 1, means existing staff no longer risk a “detriment” to their wages if they begin an apprenticeship with any NHS employer.

The move comes four years after formal negotiations on pay and employment terms for apprentices between unions and NHS trusts stalled.

Apprenticeships are key to the NHS’ long-term workforce plan, published last year, which aims to increase the number of clinical staff it trains through the schemes from 7 per cent to 22 per cent by 2031/32.

A breakthrough came after the pay deal between the government and trade unions that ended NHS-wide strikes earlier this year.

UNISON head of health Helga Pile said: “Previously, existing NHS staff wanting to progress their careers through apprenticeships were put off, or forced to drop out, because some employers expected them to take a cut in pay.

“Now this will no longer be the case, more staff will be able to take up these opportunities.

“Unions will now push the government and employers to go further and agree national pay rates for those starting out as apprentices.

“This would boost the numbers choosing to come into the NHS over other currently better-paid apprenticeship options.”

Prior to the deal, local health trusts could decide what pay rates to set for staff who became apprentices.

However, FE Week understands NHS England does not collect data on how many staff took a pay cut after becoming apprentices.

A summary of earlier talks on the issue, published in 2021, revealed they hit an “impasse” because England’s health trust representative body NHS Employers was concerned about costs.

Employers had argued “high demand” for apprenticeships that resulted in good future career prospects meant lower pay should not be a “barrier” to recruitment but trade unions insisted pay “should not drop” for current employees.

The dispute was referred to the NHS staff council which issued guidance to trusts that staff pay would only be protected if they were “required” to become an apprentice. Pay for staff who voluntarily chose an apprenticeship was “a matter for local agreement”.

The Department for Health and Social Care declined to comment when asked whether it knew how many staff were impacted.

A spokesperson for NHS Employers also declined to comment, citing pre-election restrictions.

NHS England confirmed this month’s policy change was made as part of the pay deal earlier this year.

Latest education roles from

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Dodd Partners

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Apprenticeships are for life, not just National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week is one of the awareness events that we all mark in our calendars. It’s a hive...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Functional Skills reimagined: Drive success in English & Mathematics with modern qualifications.

In today’s educational landscape, supporting learners with essential English and maths skills goes beyond traditional teaching. It’s about providing...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Do you want to be part of The Bedford College Group’s next chapter?

At The Bedford College Group, we are passionate about transforming lives and communities through education. As one of the...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

Advertorial

More from this theme

Apprenticeships

English and maths rule scrapped for adult apprentices, DfE confirms

Ministers also reveal the apprenticeship minimum duration will be reduced from 12 to 8 months

Billy Camden
Apprenticeships, Ofsted

Public relations training firm rated ‘outstanding’

Apprenticeships provision at international PR company lauded for ‘exceptional’ leadership

Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships

DfE to relax functional skills rules for apprentices

Ministers expected to announce major rule change imminently

Billy Camden
Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships: Level 2 starts lowest in four years

Growth in higher level apprenticeships mask falls in level 2 and under 19s

Shane Chowen

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *