Do not despair if your employer is unable to sponsor you. Alternative ‘sponsorship’ options may be available in your locality through workforce development schemes. Such schemes are designed to support the professional development of workers in the local workforce to raise overall standards of service delivery. These schemes are proving particularly popular and successful in the NHS, as local health authorities strive to reach government targets.

Workforce development schemes vary between sectors, organisations and localities. They are dependent upon a number of national and local factors such as government and sector priorities, local workforce needs and the availability of funding.

To find out if any such schemes operate in your area we recommend that you:

• speak to your line manager or training department to see if they have heard of any locally organised schemes or training initiatives
• contact your local branch of The Open University and speak to an OU Staff Tutor who will be able to advise you about any local funding arrangements or workforce development schemes.

The Open University currently operates workforce development partnerships with two Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs): Yorkshire and the Humber and East Midlands.