First wave of healthcare workers pass alternative route into university

The Certificate in Bridging Skills for Higher Education, is part of the Bridging Programme, which has been developed as a new qualification designed for vocational learners working in healthcare and social care who want to progress their careers into all higher education health related programmes.

Combined with relevant vocational qualifications at level 3, the Bridging Programme has been designed to offer an alternative route into university for motivated and capable healthcare and social care workers.

The first group of students that completed the full course, facilitated through Bournemouth and Poole College, have gained the vital academic skills needed to attend University, including report-writing, referencing and interview skills.

All of those who successfully completed the course are now going on to study nursing degree at Bournemouth University or though the Open University.

Angelo Varetto, Head of Standards, Qualifications and Apprenticeships at Skills for Health comments, “At Skills for Health we are always looking for new ways to make healthcare learning more accessible.  We believe that everyone should be given an equal opportunity to progress their career in health care and the Bridging Programme offers an alternative route to those who have not taken the more typical route. 

“We are so pleased that through our partnership with Bournemouth University, we have been able to make this initiative a success. We wish the first wave of graduates all the best in their University degrees.”

Alexandra Gibson from Verwood, Dorset was one of the students on the Bridging Programme who has gone onto study nursing at Bournemouth University. Read her story here.

Interested in getting involved?

• What is the Skills for Health Bridging Programme?
• Key features of the Bridging Programme
• Employers – the starting point for Bridging Programme Partnerships
• Employer and Further Education Providers – operating the Bridging Programme
• HE providers – creating new routes to health related vocational programmes in Higher Education
• HE providers on board
• Crossing the Bridge: making the Bridging Programme work
• Bridging Programme Planner
• Awarding Organisations – offering the Bridging Programme qualification
• Health Education England Areas – supporting local partnerships
• Progression Agreement – spelling out the offer to healthcare workers
• UCAS tariff points for the Bridging Programme qualification
• Reporting on progress and measuring impact
• Skills for Health – answering your questions and providing support

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