The NHS Long Term Workforce Plan has made one thing clear — the future of our health and care system depends on growing and developing our people. Across the country, NHS Trusts and private healthcare providers are now accessing government funding to help internationally educated nurses (IENs) currently working as Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) gain their NMC PIN and step into Registered Nurse (RGN) roles.
But many employers still aren’t aware of how much support is actually available — or how to make the most of it.
Funding Pathways You Could Be Accessing
There are several active government-backed routes designed to support this transition:
1. The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship (RNDA)
The RNDA allows HCAs and internationally educated support workers to earn while they learn — working towards a nursing degree and full NMC registration.
Employers can use their Apprenticeship Levy (or access co-investment if they’re a non-levy payer) to fully fund tuition costs. For many Trusts, this has become a cornerstone of their “grow-your-own” nursing workforce strategy.
2. NHS England / HEE International Nurse Training Grants
NHS England continues to offer Education & Training Tariff funding and local workforce development grants through Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to support OSCE preparation, English language training, and NMC application costs for IENs already working in the system.
Trusts can often access this support via their regional workforce hub or NHS England regional team, meaning that much of the cost of OSCE training, mock exams, and learning resources can be covered or co-funded.
3. Local IEN Support Programmes
Across England, regional training hubs have established fully funded OSCE preparation cohorts for internationally educated staff working in NHS and social care settings. In many cases, private healthcare providers who partner with their local ICS can also access these schemes.
Turning Funding into Outcomes
With funding available, the next step is ensuring your IENs receive high-quality, outcomes-driven training that leads to confident, competent, NMC-registered nurses ready to contribute from day one.
As an approved provider under the NHS Workforce Alliance – Lot 4, we’ve had the privilege of supporting Trusts including:
- Tameside & Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Our flexible OSCE training models are designed to maximise success while minimising disruption to clinical services.
Our Flexible OSCE Training Models
Hybrid Model – Ideal for Minimising Service Disruption
- 1-day online induction
- 6 half-day tutor-led remote sessions
- 2 pre-scheduled on-site mock exams
- 30-day online portal access
- Unlimited trainer support
- Optional on-site self-practice with mentoring
Face-to-Face Model – For Teams Preferring In-Person Support
- All hybrid model features
- Plus: Four full in-person training days across two weeks
- Two on-site mock exams (weeks 3 & 4)
Training takes place at our Stockport and Crewe campuses (with accommodation available for immersive learning).
Proven Results Across the NHS
- 3,000+ successful OSCE candidates
- 95% first-time pass rate
- State-of-the-art simulation labs covering all 10 OSCE stations
- NHS-registered nurse trainers and OSCE co-ordinators
- 24/7 online learning access
Our model has already supported 66 international nurses at Tameside & Glossop to achieve OSCE success — without compromising patient care or service delivery.
Take the Next Step: Grow Your Nursing Workforce from Within
Whether you’re an NHS Trust, independent hospital, or care organisation, the opportunity to upskill your international workforce through government funding has never been greater.
We can help you unlock that funding and deliver the training needed to get your support workers fully NMC registered and ready to practice.
If you’re currently planning OSCE training for new international recruits — or want to explore how your organisation can fund training for HCAs to become RGNs — get in touch today to arrange a brief discovery call with our team.