AHPs’ Day: Why an apprenticeship was the ‘perfect’ route for Neil

Neil Mingaud (pictured below) is a 38-year-old apprentice physiotherapist from Liverpool. He is studying for his degree with the School of Health and Society at the University of Salford and works for a large NHS Trust. He is described as a “valued member of the apprenticeship and student cohort, valued by both his peers and staff”.

With a young family, and a mortgage, Neil didn’t think he could afford to study a degree, so found an apprenticeship was “perfect” for him. He says it works brilliantly with his personal and university life. He is given time off work to attend lectures, practical sessions and placements, accompanied by the added bonus of a salary and annual leave. 

At the time of enrolment, Salford was the only institution offering the route that suited all of Neil’s circumstances, and he says he has not looked back since! Speaking on his time here so far, Neil said: “I’ve genuinely enjoyed building my knowledge around the things I experience at work. 

“I have changed during my time here through getting more involved in university life – I’m the class rep, so engage in many things that affect all of the different students in my class”. 

Speaking on this, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Physiotherapy Helen Carruthers, says that Neil: “throws himself into the programme to gain the most from learning opportunities, with the ultimate aim of providing better care to his patients”. 

With Neil having such a busy personal life and student life, he expressed that his biggest challenge has been balancing his time between work and home. Despite this, Neil is still incredibly positive and optimistic about what he does, wanting to “have helped as many people as I could and maybe even do some lecturing!” within the next 10 years.