Health Education England

Health Education England (HEE), now part of NHS England’s Workforce, Training and Education Directorate, leads and supports the development and implementation of apprenticeships across the health and care sector in England. Through its national Talent for Care apprenticeship team and regional colleagues, it works with NHS and wider health and care employers to design, commission and quality-assure apprenticeship pathways spanning clinical and non‑clinical roles. Since 2014 HEE has commissioned Skills for Health to develop Healthcare Apprenticeship Standards Online (HASO), providing employers with tools and guidance to select, implement and manage apprenticeship standards effectively. HEE has supported large‑scale ‘Trailblazer’ employer groups to create new apprenticeship standards in health and science, as well as in areas such as leadership, business and education, enabling organisations to align apprenticeships with workforce needs. It also holds an ESFA Main Provider apprenticeship contract in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, working with approved subcontractors to deliver training. In addition, HEE develops national initiatives such as nurse degree apprenticeship funding, recognition of prior learning linked to apprenticeship standards, and specific programmes like the Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship pilots, helping employers maximise the apprenticeship levy while offering staff structured, work‑based routes to professional registration and career progression.