The National Breast Imaging Academy welcomed its growing community of Mammography Associates to The Nest in Manchester last month for a lively and uplifting Alumni Day – a celebration of achievement, professional development, and the vital role mammography associates now play within breast imaging services. The participants had all qualified via the Level 4 Mammography Associate (MA) apprenticeship delivered by the NBIA.
The event brought together cohort 1 – 9 alumni from across the country to reconnect with peers, share their career journeys since qualifying, and hear from NBIA educators and leaders about the future of the programme. For many, it was the first time reuniting since completing the apprenticeship.
The MA apprenticeship was developed by the MA Trailblazer Group to help address national workforce challenges facing breast imaging services. The programme equips trainees with the technical skills, theoretical knowledge and professional confidence needed to play a critical part in early cancer detection and high-quality patient care. Nationally, there are now over 300 MAs qualified via the apprenticeship.
Commenting on the programme, Lyndsay Kinnear, NBIA’s Radiography Lead said:
“Mammography Associates are making a measurable difference to services. They are complementing the work of radiographers and adding much needed capacity to breast screening and symptomatic clinics.”
The Alumni Day offered a mix of education, celebration and networking. The programme included sessions on:
- Apprenticeships in the NHS
- The Society and College of radiographers
- MA accreditation
- CPD
- Professional progression and future training pathways
Participants shared their personal journeys since qualifying, from settling into their first roles to taking on new responsibilities and planning the next steps in their imaging careers.
Finishing the day with recognition of each alumnus with a presentation of NBIA badges.
One MA reflected:
“It was a really nice experience to get to meet other MA’s and discuss the differences and familiarities within our services. The day as a whole was very informative and helped answer lots of questions about further progression- it’s given me knowledge on how I can progress.”
Lyndsay added:
“I was so proud to see so many MAs together in one place, all so enthusiastic and clearly loving their roles. You could feel the energy in the room – it really shows what a difference they’re making to breast imaging services.”