The University of East Anglia (UEA) has launched a new business apprenticeship for senior leaders from the region's organisations.

Already 22 members of staff from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) have enrolled on the Senior Leader Master's Degree Apprenticeship.

It aims to allow students – senior managers and future leaders from all industries – to put their work experience in the context of the latest business and management thinking, and earn an MBA.

UEA has worked with local employers to design degree apprenticeship programmes, including the Nursing Degree Apprenticeship, launched last month.

Julian Campbell, UEA course director, said: 'The MBA team is very excited to be launching this course, particularly given that we are one of the first universities to link our well-established MBA programme with the new Senior Leaders Apprenticeship.

'Working in partnership with the NNUH has given us an opportunity to create a course that invests in the managerial and leadership talent of the future, a key issue for the health sector in the coming years.'

Jeremy Over, NNUH director of workforce said: 'This is a really exciting development opportunity for NNUH staff and we're delighted that 22 of our senior colleagues will be embarking on this new leadership apprenticeship.'

Mark Gilham, head of radiotherapy at NNUH, who has enrolled on the course, said: 'The UEA Executive MBA Apprenticeship is a great opportunity for those working in management roles at NNUH.

'As a therapeutic radiographer, my previous training has been clinically focused. With the apprenticeship, I am looking forward to enhancing my leadership and business skills, blending them with my clinical background to the benefit of our patients and the radiotherapy department.'

Another student, Amy Eagle, who is divisional operations director for the women's and children's division at NNUH, said: 'I'm very excited to be taking part in this course, and I'm delighted to be able to have the opportunity to enhance my business management skills, which in turn, will support my role here at NNUH.'