Are NHS apprenticeships good? Here’s what our apprentices, providers and managers say

Apprentices and apprentice providers have taken time to share their experiences of NHS apprenticeships with our NHS Foundation Trust.

How to get an NHS Apprenticeship

We are proud to offer a range of NHS Apprenticeships.

You can apply for apprenticeships through the NHS jobs website. We also offer apprenticeship opportunities as a means of career development for our staff. These start throughout the year. A range of opportunities and more information can be found on this NHS Apprenticeship page.

What NHS Apprenticeships are there?

Our amazing apprentices work in a range of roles including:

Management
Health, social care and nursing
Business administration
Cleaning
Pharmacy
Accounting
Horticulture
And much more.

Here’s what some of our NHS apprentices had to say…

“I can tell that the way that I think about things is changing over time”

Trish Shaw, Occupational Therapy Clinical Lead, Huntington House, York is over halfway through a Senior Leaders Master’s Degree with Teesside University. She said:

“My Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship MBA so far has really helped me to gain confidence understanding the wider context of the NHS, current issues, sustainability, and leading others.

“Admittedly it’s hard going and there is a lot to do. But I can tell that the way that I think about things is changing over time.

“I was delighted to be accepted on to the course … I would very much recommend it to stretch leaders to make better decisions and really challenge their thinking.”

“I believe that I am more proactive and thoughtful”

Apprentice at TEWV - Steven — Steven Brickett

Steven Brickett is a Team Secretary for our West Community Mental Health Team at Acomb Garth. He studied a Business Administration Apprenticeship Level 3 with Hartlepool College. Steven had 38 years of experience before starting the course. He said:

“I feel that I learned quite a lot on the course and that it taught me to think of things that I would not have thought about before.

“I now include the outside environment more and think of the stakeholders and what they would hope for within our establishment. And that I believe that I am more proactive and thoughtful towards the needs of our patients.”

“I wasn’t sure how I would get the skills and knowledge I needed”

Apprentice at TEWV - Sarah — Sarah Werrett

Sarah Werrett is a Personal Assistant at our Trust. She is completing a Business Administration Level 3 apprenticeship with Derwentside College. Sarah told us:

“Having always worked in a clinical environment I wasn’t sure how I would get the skills and knowledge I needed to be able to start a career in administration.

“Through doing an apprenticeship I have had the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge related to my job whilst also being paid a full salary.

“I would highly recommend taking up the opportunity to do an Apprenticeship within the NHS, you certainly won’t regret it”.

“The course has given me the opportunity to adopt new skills to better supervise staff”

Apprentice at TEWV - Diane — Diane Dufton

Diane Dufton is a Medical Secretary at our Trust. She is studying a Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship with New College, Durham. She says:

“The course has given me the opportunity to adopt new skills to better supervise staff, understanding my style of management, analysing my approach and its impact on others.

“I’ve got a much broader understanding of organisational strategy in general and the impact organisation culture has on individual employees.

“In a nutshell choosing to take up the apprenticeship programme has very possibly been the most positive endeavour in my journey with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust to date.”

“I have always been interested in working in mental health”

Apprentice at TEWV - George Sweeten — George Sweeten

George Sweeten is a Trainee Community Support Worker with our Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services. He is studying the level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship. He says:

“I have always been interested in working in mental health but struggled getting interviews in the past due to having no experience. The apprenticeship has been a great way to get my foot in the door…

“I have found the whole experience to be very positive so far. I have worked with a welcoming team who have given me plenty of shadowing opportunities, as well as allowing me to have one full day to dedicate to college work undisturbed.

“I am confident that this apprenticeship is the start of what will be a successful career working in mental health.”

Haulwen Wright, Assistant Apprenticeship Manager, Derwentside Collegeworked with George for a few weeks on his apprenticeship. Haulwen says: “[I have seen George] produce an exceptional level of knowledge evidence linking his previous experience to policy, legislation and current practice.”

Beth Thompson, Team Manager, DarlingtonChildren and Adolescent Mental Health Services adds: “George is confident and driven, willing to take on any challenge put in front of him … I have had a lot of positive feedback about George from various staff members and patients.”

Which colleges and universities provide apprenticeships?

We work with educational establishments across County Durham and Darlington, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby. This includes:

Derwentside College deliver apprenticeships in healthcare, cleaning, business administration and management to our staff. Stephanie Nicholson, Senior Business Development Consultant, Derwentside College, says: “Both the Trust’s Apprenticeship Team and the College put the learners’ needs first which ensures that they receive high quality training. Several Healthcare learners have now completed their Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3, with a number of the staff completing well before their expected end dates.”

Emma Campbell, Lecturer School of Health, Care and Education, Hartlepool College says: “There is a commitment from all involved to ensure apprentices have a positive experience and gain the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours which will enable them to progress further within their chosen area of employment.”

Find out more about NHS apprenticeships

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