Apprentices celebrated at awards ceremony
More than 40 apprentices were recognised at a celebration event held at a West Midlands NHS Trust to mark the end of National Apprenticeships Week.
The ceremony, held by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, awarded each person a certificate and an award to acknowledge their hard work in finishing their studies.
Maxine Griffiths, the Trust’s Apprenticeship Lead, said: “This event really boosts the learner’s morale. We’re proud of our future workforce and how we develop and support them at the Trust.
“The Trust supports a variety of professional choices including Allied Healthcare Professionals, Clinical Practitioners, and Midwifery to name a few. We currently have just under 300 staff on apprenticeship programmes at the Trust.”
The Trust offers entry level opportunities such as Healthcare Support Worker at Level 2, right through to Senior Leadership Apprenticeships at Level 7.
Sandwell resident Laura Blake, aged 49, who recently finished studying for a level three apprenticeship in business and administration at the Trust, said: “It has impacted me greatly in a positive way. As a mature woman, it shows you can do this at any age and you shouldn’t let it hold you back. I’ve had a lot of support from my colleagues and work family. They have coached me and have been a great resource.”
The mum-of-two started at the Trust in May 2021 and works as an admin officer for the neurophysiology service.
She added: “Apprenticeships are an amazing opportunity. Not only do you get a qualification, but also work experience and the prospect of a job. It’s such a fantastic opportunity and I would urge people considering one, to do it. You won’t regret it. I’m even encouraging my daughter to do one.”
Maxine added: “Apprenticeships are important as they open up opportunities for staff to study and develop in their chosen career pathways.
“Using the levy to fund the courses gives our workforce the opportunity to access education at no cost to themselves but also knowing their employer is willing to invest in them both financially and giving study time.”
Maxine added: “Apprenticeships in the NHS are a perfect way to study for your chosen career, earning while you learn. The Trust helps new staff starting employment to access Apprenticeship Training as well as existing staff, using apprenticeship pathways to enhance their career and job role.”
