CUMBRIA, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) is to become the first trust in the region to offer a mental health or learning disability nurse degree apprenticeship to aspiring nurses.

Applications for the registered nurse degree apprenticeship, which is currently only offered to employees of the trust, will open to those suitably qualified and interested in a career in nursing this week, with a closing date of 5pm on May 28.

In partnership with the University of Sunderland, the course offers successful applicants paid employment and education through a combination of supernumerary learning and working in a nursing environment. Based on current rates, there will be a starting wage of £18,005 in the first year, rising to £19,737 years 2-5 increment.

Gail Bayes, deputy director of CNTW academy, said: “This is a real commitment to the trust’s ambitions to offer innovative career pathways. The course has been a great success internally and we are delighted to be able to expand our offer. We welcome a diverse range of applicants who are enthusiastic and willing to learn and look forward to supporting the future generation of mental health and learning disability nurses.”

CNTW is a leading provider of mental health and disability services in the North-East and north Cumbria. Applicants should visit www.jobs.nhs.uk/