Liverpool Hope University welcomes its first cohort of apprentices as part of a new programme offering for the 2025/26 academic year.
Degree apprenticeships at Liverpool Hope will include teacher, youth worker and physiotherapy courses. In 2024, the institution was awarded £635,000 from the Office for Students (OfS) to become a Department for Education-approved apprenticeship training provider.
With teaching set to commence this autumn, apprentices and employers, including workplace mentors, were invited to the Hope Park campus to meet with university staff and participate in an induction day.
This was an opportunity for apprentices to gain valuable insights into their new courses and the wider University services and benefits available to them. The day was designed to ensure everyone feels supported and prepared for the journey ahead.
Attendees were also given the chance to explore the wider campus and facilities, including the library, helping them to get to know their new learning environment.
Workplace mentors took part in dedicated sessions to support them in delivering their crucial role. This included a 'Mastering Mentoring' session with Director of Apprenticeships, Sue Cronin, and sessions focused on understanding the fundamentals of apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships provide yet another route for learning, offering a pathway for those who may not have otherwise attended university to propel their careers and benefit from all that higher education has to offer. These programmes offer employers across the Liverpool City region and beyond the opportunity to train their existing workforce and support professional development within their teams.
Reflecting on the day, Sue said: "This is a fantastic milestone for Liverpool Hope University. Seeing the enthusiasm from our first cohort of apprentices and their mentors was inspiring. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of delivering these valuable work-based learning programmes and look forward to seeing this group flourish in their careers and studies."
As Liverpool Hope University prepares to embark on its first year of teaching degree apprenticeships, the team recognise the value of employer partners in shaping this portfolio of innovative programmes through collaboration. These partnerships include Torus Housing Association in the youth sector, Stockton Heath Physiotherapy and Wellness Centre for physiotherapy training and schools and trusts such as Kings Academy Trust and Fairfield Primary School, Halton.
Sue added: “By working together, we are not just providing qualifications, but we are building a skilled and dynamic workforce that will drive success for businesses and individuals alike. We extend our sincere thanks to every employer who has joined us on this journey. The positive energy throughout the induction day was a great sign of things to come and we’re excited to see what our new apprentices will achieve.”
For more information on apprenticeship opportunities at Liverpool Hope University, visit www.hope.ac.uk/apprenticeships/ or contact apprenticeship@hope.ac.uk.