North West’s first midwifery apprentices graduate in Cumbria

They are the first to complete a midwifery degree apprenticeship in the region thanks to the partnerships between the University of Cumbria and the regional North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMBT) NHS Foundation Trusts. 

Launched in September 2022, the University of Cumbria midwifery degree apprenticeship was among the first of its kind in the UK. 

Aligning with the university’s mission to drive higher-level skills in and for the region, the apprenticeship is helping employers to upskill and reskill the workforce and serving patients across the county. The programme has been co-designed with the two NHS trusts to help address workforce shortages in the region and NHS, whilst widening access to the profession by offering new higher education routes to those who have never considered it before. 

It offers an alternative route into midwifery for those already working in healthcare settings with apprentices combining academic study with hands-on experience in local hospitals and healthcare settings. Apprentices who successfully complete the programme earn a BSc (Hons) Midwifery degree at the end of their three years of effort, which is the same duration as a traditional undergraduate study route. 

These apprentices are part of a larger cohort of 32 midwifery students to graduate with their degrees from the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Health in ceremonies at Carlisle Cathedral this November. The six are NCIC’s Laura Huck, Claire Ripley, Danielle Cowling and Charlotte Millis, Sophie Harley, Jessica Hannaford who are based within UHMBT. 

Professor Karen Stansfield, University of Cumbria's Dean of the Institute of Health said: “Each graduate has combined rigorous academic learning with frontline clinical practice, demonstrating resilience and dedication throughout their journey.  

“We are proud of their achievement which not only strengthens the midwifery workforce in Cumbria but also showcases the value of apprenticeships in creating sustainable career pathways. This is not only as part of the national need for more healthcare professionals as part of NHS Long Term Workforce Plans but also because, as one of the country’s largest providers of degree apprenticeships in the country, we partner with employers across many sectors to develop skills be it in teaching, policing and youth work to forestry and chartered management.” 

Amanda Kennett, Director of Midwifery at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Claire, Danielle, and Laura have made us all proud. Throughout their apprenticeships they have shown care, passion, and dedication, qualities that make a real difference to the families we care for. I am delighted to welcome them as fully qualified Midwives.” 

Susan Foyle, Director of Midwifery, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT), said: “We are absolutely delighted that the first of our Midwifery Degree Apprentices graduated recently and we congratulate them for their achievements.  

“Our graduates represent a new generation of midwives who are equipped with academic knowledge and practical experience from day one. That is good news for women, pregnant people, families, colleagues, our maternity units and the wider communities we serve.   

"This highly positive and pioneering partnership with the University of Cumbria shows what can be achieved when education and healthcare work together. The degree apprenticeship will also help us to address workforce challenges while opening doors for talented individuals who may not have considered midwifery before.” 

Data released recently by Universities UK shows that universities are crucial to sparking regional growth and opportunity, helping to bring together students, researchers, local businesses and employers to boost jobs and communities. 

The training of public sector workers is one of the most visible ways in which universities illustrate this. University of Cumbria has a rich heritage in this area, an example being its Institute of Health that trains generations of nurses, paramedics and other allied health professionals. 

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine, a unique partnership between University of Cumbria and Imperial College London, is also helping to train new doctors for the region after welcoming its first cohort of students in August. 

Regulator Ofsted judged the University of Cumbria’s apprenticeship provision as Good when it was inspected in 2024. 

ENDS