Apprenticeships

Build or Advance Your Career in Prosthetics and Orthotics Through Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships in prosthetics and orthotics offer a unique opportunity to start—or grow—a rewarding career in one of the most innovative and life-changing areas of healthcare. These programmes combine academic learning with hands-on clinical experience, allowing individuals to gain valuable skills and recognised qualifications while working in real-world settings.

Whether you’re a college leaver exploring your first steps into healthcare or a professional looking to expand your expertise, apprenticeships provide a supported and structured route to success. For those entering the field, you’ll be trained in the core principles of patient care, biomechanics, and device design, working closely with experienced prosthetists and orthotists to help patients regain mobility and independence.

For qualified clinicians, Enhanced Clinical Practice, offer a pathway to expand your clinical expertise, take on extended roles, and contribute to the leadership and development of services. These programmes are ideal for those seeking to specialise further, lead complex case management, or shape the future of patient care within both NHS and private practice settings.

With growing demand for skilled prosthetists and orthotists, apprenticeships are an excellent way to invest in your future, at every stage of your professional journey.

Apprentice expectations

Apprentice expectations Download

Educators expectations

Educators expectations Download

Apprenticeship funding report

Apprenticeship funding report Download

Employer expectations

Employer expectations Download

Higher Education expectations

Higher Education expectations Download

Derby University Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer companies the chance to embed new skills and grow talent within their workplace while offering apprentices the opportunity to learn on the job and earn simultaneously.

Prosthetist/Orthotist Apprenticeship Route

Derby University also offers a Degree Apprenticeship at Level 6. The programme provides students an opportunity to qualify as a Prosthetist/Orthotist after three years.

Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician Apprenticeship Route

The University of Derby offers a Level 3 Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician Apprenticeship, which provides students the opportunity to qualify as a Prosthetic/Orthotic Technician.

Apprenticeships in P&O – information for employer Download

University of Salford Enhanced Practice Apprenticeship

Award: PgCert (Level 7)
Attendance: Blended Delivery (all mandatory content online)
Duration: 12 month or 18 month route
Next enrolment: September 2026
Contact: apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk or ECPapprenticeship@salford.ac.uk

In a nutshell

This innovative PgCert supports Prosthetists and Orthotists to progress to Enhanced level practice through a flexible and personalised work-based learning model. Grounded in the four pillars of practice (clinical, leadership, education, and research), the programme enables apprentices to tailor learning to their specific role and service context.

You will:

Progress to an Enhanced Practice level and build clinical capability
Customise your learning journey to reflect your profession and service needs
Learn in interprofessional groups, developing shared understanding and collaboration
Apply knowledge and skills in real time within your clinical setting
Work with a profession-specific mentor to map development goals and evidence capability
Access flexible, blended learning – combining online study, workplace learning, and optional CPD
Build leadership, research and educational expertise to drive workforce transformation, service improvement and patient care