Five level 7 NHS apprenticeships spared funding cuts

Five key NHS level 7 apprenticeship programmes will continue to be publicly funded until 2029, NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have announced.  

The five have been spared proposed cuts to their funding because they are in professions seen as critical to delivering the government’s 10 Year Health Plan.  

Public funding for all remaining level 7 apprenticeships – equivalent to a master’s degree – is being scrapped for new starters aged 22 and older in all sectors as from January 2026. These changes are being made in line with government plans to focus skills and training  investment on younger people, lowering youth unemployment and improving school leavers’ job prospects.  

But, subject to eligibility, a mitigation fund will be available to support the following NHS level 7 apprenticeships: 

• Advanced clinical practitioner 
• Specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN) 
• District nurse (Community Specialist Practice Qualification) 
• Clinical associate in psychology (CAP) 
• Population health intelligence specialist (PHIS) 

In its joint statement, NHS England and DHSC said: “This initiative supports the wider apprenticeship agenda, strengthens workforce capacity in community settings, and contributes to social mobility and widening access goals. Funding will be allocated through the Education and Training Activity Programme (ETAP) as a training grant. Employers will submit an expression of interest (EOI) to access funding, which will be distributed nationally based on workforce need, training provider capacity, and strategic priorities.” 

The mitigation fund will be available to a range of employers providing level 7 apprenticeships in these occupations.  

They include national bodies, integrated care boards, NHS trusts, primary care and independent providers and  integrated health and social care organisations. Third sector and charitable providers as well as other organisations contracted to deliver NHS or public health services may also be eligible to access the money.  

Additional information on funding is expected in September 2025. NHS Employers has said it will share further details on the EOI process and timelines when available.