Learners from a diverse range of backgrounds who previously may not have had the opportunity to become a registered occupational therapist can now undertake their training and it is wonderful to be part of that developmental journey with them .”
Learners from a diverse range of backgrounds who previously may not have had the opportunity to become a registered occupational therapist can now undertake their training and it is wonderful to be part of that developmental journey with them .”
good for the profession and clients . They start university with a variety of occupational therapy experience ; some have just taken up a post as an occupational therapy apprentice and have limited occupational therapy knowledge , while others have worked as an occupational therapy assistant for many years , making each learning journey very different .
The main challenge is ensuring apprentices are keeping up to date with the work-based learning activities and are being given appropriate study time to achieve these .
University of East Anglia : The programme commenced in February 2020 , but after one month of programme delivery a blanket pause for six months was applied due to COVID-19 . The programme re-commenced in October 2020 . A second cohort was recruited in Spring 2022 .
The University of East Anglia ( UEA ) recognises that many candidates who are successful in their application to undertake the programme will bring with them a wealth of practice skills , expertise , and previously credited learning .
UEA and employer partners are committed to supporting those individuals to receive due recognition of this experience through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning ( RPL ), also known as Accreditation of Prior Learning ( APL ).
Following successful interview , candidates attend an APL workshop , where they learn about the requirements to submit a portfolio of evidence mapped against the Level 4 module learning outcomes , incorporating theory and workplace experience .
Following completion of the portfolio , their work is assessed by a team of occupational therapy lecturers .
APL has been successfully used and is usually considered based on activities completed within the last five years , so it is up to date . APL offers a shortened route toward becoming a qualified occupational therapist .
University of Huddersfield : The threeyear programme has been running now for two years , with our first cohort of apprentices commencing year three and completing their EPA in 2024 .
Developing the apprenticeship in collaboration with employers meant a bespoke programme was created for apprentices with a specific focus on peer learning , utilising a strength-based approach allowing apprentices to formulate their occupational therapy identity and sense of belonging ( Chan 2013 ).
By studying one module at a time on a day release basis , meant that apprentices and their employers could manage their academic and employment workloads in a balanced way .
Despite this , as apprentices study modules in a sequential manner , there is little break in academic study apart from Christmas and use of annual leave , therefore , apprentices can feel that the teaching and assessment load is heavy , particularly in the first and third year .
46 OTnews December 2023