Abstract
Background
This article shares details of a pilot research project that explored stakeholder perceptions and experiences of the academic and work-based elements involved in one university's innovative speech and language therapy (SLT) degree apprenticeship.
Aims
To share findings about SLT apprentice learner and mentor expectations and experiences since this knowledge, including of barriers and facilitators, will enable the university concerned, and others already providing or developing their SLT degree apprenticeship, to enhance their offer and so apprentice learning experience and outcomes.
Methods and Procedures
Following ethical approval, a mixed-methods research design was applied. In phase one, 18 apprentice and mentor participants involved in the programme completed online questionnaires. Themes identified from inductive thematic analysis of the questionnaire data were probed further in nine online semi-structured interviews, with transcripts also being analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
Outcomes and Results
Findings offer new knowledge about the apprenticeship route into the profession and provide valuable insight for HEIs and employers considering or developing an SLT or wider allied health profession (AHP) apprenticeship offer. This includes detail about the strengths and challenges related to four key themes: internal factors; time and support; structure and organisation; and apprenticeship processes.
Conclusions and Implications
The apprenticeship provides an economically sustainable and practical progression opportunity for learners, including SLTAs, and may provide SLT training that is better embedded in clinical practice than traditional routes. Collaboration between the key stakeholders (apprentice learner, workplace mentor, and HEI) is central to this, though challenges in terms of time and resources exist. Developing and sustaining SLT apprenticeships therefore has implications for future workforce development and the profession.
This article shares details of a pilot research project that explored stakeholder perceptions and experiences of the academic and work-based elements involved in one university's innovative speech and language therapy (SLT) degree apprenticeship.
Aims
To share findings about SLT apprentice learner and mentor expectations and experiences since this knowledge, including of barriers and facilitators, will enable the university concerned, and others already providing or developing their SLT degree apprenticeship, to enhance their offer and so apprentice learning experience and outcomes.
Methods and Procedures
Following ethical approval, a mixed-methods research design was applied. In phase one, 18 apprentice and mentor participants involved in the programme completed online questionnaires. Themes identified from inductive thematic analysis of the questionnaire data were probed further in nine online semi-structured interviews, with transcripts also being analysed using inductive thematic analysis.
Outcomes and Results
Findings offer new knowledge about the apprenticeship route into the profession and provide valuable insight for HEIs and employers considering or developing an SLT or wider allied health profession (AHP) apprenticeship offer. This includes detail about the strengths and challenges related to four key themes: internal factors; time and support; structure and organisation; and apprenticeship processes.
Conclusions and Implications
The apprenticeship provides an economically sustainable and practical progression opportunity for learners, including SLTAs, and may provide SLT training that is better embedded in clinical practice than traditional routes. Collaboration between the key stakeholders (apprentice learner, workplace mentor, and HEI) is central to this, though challenges in terms of time and resources exist. Developing and sustaining SLT apprenticeships therefore has implications for future workforce development and the profession.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e70071 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1 to 11 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders |
| Volume | 60 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (VoR) - 7 Jul 2025 |
Funding
supported by a Birmingham City University Pilot Project grant
Keywords
- degree apprenticeship; speech and language therapy; mentor; work-based-learning; collaboration.