Use of cross-sector apprenticeships in pharmacy: is it a sustainable quality education model for pharmacy assistants?

Objectives: To establish whether undertaking cross-sector pharmacy apprenticeship training to become a pharmacy assistant equally split across the two main pharmacy sectors improves training experience and cross-sector understanding.

Methods: A mixed method approach was utilised to explore the experiences of 10 pharmacy apprentices, their employers and education provider. Questionnaires were used to explore apprentices' experiences and views following each 6-month placement.