Yasmin is in her final year of an OT apprenticeship at SHU.​

In her second year of the course she found out she was going to be a mum.​

“The university supported me so well, and I managed to continue with my studies, passing 1st and 2nd year before taking a break in study to welcome my little boy.”​

I am so grateful for this apprenticeship opportunity, and look forward to graduating this year, working in a job I love and setting a good example to my son - anything is possible! The degree apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for so many people, giving chances for people like myself to develop in a career you love, without having to sacrifice your job to go to University full time. My advice for any future students would be to plan your time, be ready for hard work but also to recognise your achievements, believe in your self and your academic abilities no matter how old you are or what stage you are at in life, and keep focused on the final goal of becoming a qualified practitioner.”​

"For me as a mature student  I would say that its never too late to engage in education. I started my apprenticeship journey at the age of 52 and gained my degree by the age of 54. I found that age was not a barrier and in many respects was a bonus because of the wide range of experiences I had over my own life and also 30 + years working in adult social care.​

It took me a short while to get the hang of academic writing but once I grasped what was required all was fine.​

We were also lucky that our amazing course leader who believed in what we could do and lovely course lecturers understood that as apprentices our range of experiences were valued and important.”​

"I was a Band 4 Physiotherapy Technical Instructor, with 14 years’ experience, when the opportunity to study on the Physiotherapy Apprenticeship at Sheffield Hallam came up. ​

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The Physiotherapy Apprenticeship at Sheffield Hallam University is a great course and allows people currently in employment to undertake a degree level qualification that fits into your everyday life.  Even with a demanding work and home life, the course is structured in such a way that it is manageable. I have no hesitation in recommending this course to others.”​

As a first-year occupational therapy apprentice working in an acute inpatient setting I will typically attend the morning handover and participate in offering relevant information of any patients I have been working with.  I will update the team of any developments in any progressions or regressions with the patient’s therapy, any concerns from the patient, staff or observations I feel are of importance, including additional information regarding discharge plans such as equipment and package of care statuses. ​

I will often be given a list of tasks to complete for the day which may include but are not limited to;​

Completing Occupational therapy initial assessments​

Completing outcome measures Practicing wheelchair skills with patients who have undergone amputations. ​

Contacting the relevant services to either update, inform or order equipment from. ​

Clinical documentation of all work carried out. ​

Conducting a wheelchair skills group in the gym with patients.​

After lunch a brief handover will be conducted to assess which patients are remaining to be seen and if any of the therapists within that team (physiotherapists and Occupational therapist) require help to complete tasks. ​

Throughout the day I will work autonomously and when required, alongside Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists. ​

I make a point of being vigilant for potential reflections which could be completed for my own learning and portfolios throughout each week at work.​

I last did a degree 18 years ago, so studying has not come naturally. Studying and working at the same time is a lot, but I don't regret by decision for a minute. You just have to make lifestyle adjustments to be able to fit everything in. 

I would recomment an apprienticeship to anyone. For me it is the best way to learn,  as you are learning practically every day, as well as studying. Several OT colleagues have said they wish the apprenticeship route was available when they did their qualification.