National Apprenticeship Week 6 – 12 February 2023

Across the Integrated Care System, we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week which runs from Monday 6 February to Sunday 12 February.

NHS Apprenticeships are a great way to gain ‘on the job’ experience and earn a wage, while studying for a formal qualification.

Here in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, we’re passionate about giving our workforce the training and development opportunities to provide the best service possible wherever you may choose to start your professional story!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve spoken to people across the system about their experiences of being an apprentice or working with apprentices. Find out more about their stories below:

Susan, NHS Pharmacy Technician Apprentice

Susan works as a NHS Pharmacy Technician Apprentice. After being made redundant from a previous job, she decided to follow her dream career:

“I had recently been made redundant from a company that I had been working at for nearly 19 years when this amazing opportunity came along. When I was 16, I did some work experience in a community pharmacy, and it was a dream of mine to have a career in pharmacy. After being made redundant, I was getting close to reaching the age of 40, and so I decided to chase my dream. I am really enjoying my apprenticeship where I work in community cross sector. This involves working in a GP surgery and a community pharmacy. I am enjoying the chance to work for an amazing organisation in the NHS and to know that I am helping people. Without this great opportunity I would not be able to do a job I love.”

Loomer Road GP Surgery

“This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals to access education and paid work whilst working towards a qualification. It creates a talent pool in general practice that thrives within our organisation. Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for people to learn on the job and be part of a team from the early stages of your working career. They impact general practice in a positive as it is welcoming new faces into the general practice”

Libby, NHS Health and Care Support Worker

Libby is currently completing her Level 2 qualification as a Health and Care Support Worker:

“I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do after school but becoming a health care support worker apprentice gave me a chance to work in different areas and decide the route I wanted to take.  Now I have nearly completed my level 2 and I am looking at jobs to stay in health care. Being an apprentice is a great way to learn and earn at the same time.”

Bradwell Hall Nursing Home

The nursing home is involved with the ICS apprenticeship scheme and value the additional support apprentices offer to the care of patients:

“Apprenticeships help to provide us with skilled workers for the future. The growth and success of any business depends on its workforce, and equipping the right people with the right skills can ultimately futureproof the organisation. They are an effective way to recruit, train and retain future talent.

The apprentice’s we have received have also added additional staffing to our organisation during their training.”

Adil, NHS Health and Care Support Worker

Adil, who is working to complete his Level 2 qualification as a Health and Care Support worker spoke to us about what he enjoys most about being an NHS apprentice.

Associate Director

“It is essential that we create a number of different entry routes into our careers for our community. Their needs and requirements are varied so we have to offer appropriate opportunities. Our current Apprenticeship schemes allow participants to ‘earn whilst they learn’ and experience the variation of roles within the NHS and Social Care whilst in a supported learning programme. As we approach Cohort 5, we are proud to say that 70% of those that have passed through this programme are still either learning or working in Health/Care. We have recently introduced the Pharmacy Tech apprenticeship which will give participants entry into this career without going through the traditional University route. Our Journey(s) to Work” will allow those that are interested in careers with us to experience a breadth of experiential and educational opportunities which will hopefully lead them to a life-long career with us. Apprenticeships can be an entry route to working with us following completion of our work experience offer or indeed a new career path for a mature adult.”