100% pass rate for Biomedical Science apprentices

The EPA is the End Point Assessment that apprentices work on once they have completed the final year of the academic element of their apprenticeship. Of the nine apprentices that were assessed, all passed and five of them received a distinction.

Dr Jeremy Allen who leads on the EPA, said: “It is the culmination of 3 years hard work. It is a separate and additional award based on their readiness to enter the workplace as biomedical scientists and be able to deal with all that entails. It is in effect their ticket to career progression and this cohort have shown they are ready.”

Dr Lucy Smyth, Biomedical Science Apprentice Programme lead at the University, congratulated the students. She said: “Each of them should feel really proud of these successful EPA outcomes, after what is always a very challenging journey. 

“Certainly the programme team at Salford and I, are delighted for all of them and very proud, as are their employers in NHS pathology laboratories 

“The independent assessors and external examiner were very impressed with the quality of discussions and performances overall.  It’s a testament to all the hard work of both the students and staff over the last few years.”

The partnership between universities and employers are powerful enablers for collaboration and generating new opportunities.  Apprenticeships ensure that students are better prepared for the challenges of the workplace as an integrated part of their study. The programmes are designed so that apprentices remain in full time employment while being given 20% release for university study to gain their degree.

The University of Salford is an approved End Point Assessment organisation (EPAO) for the Healthcare Science Practitioner apprentice standard, being the first integrated degree to be offered.  The programme is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), ensuring that apprentice graduates are eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and apply for promotions to Biomedical Science positions.

Dr Smyth also thanked the employers and apprentice supervisors. She said: “Allowing their employees time out to study is a significant commitment to support within the busy diagnostic labs, along with the mentoring, planning and educational support input too. 

“It’s a fantastic partnership, which we hope to continue as we carry on upskilling workforces.”