This week marks National Apprenticeship Week 2016, and apprentices at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust have been commenting on the strong impact their current roles are having on their career prospects.
The Week is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive influence they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
To date, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust has employed 76 apprentices in a wide range of roles including business administration, clinical healthcare support with decontamination and pharmacy services. 37 of these people have gone on to gain permanent employment with the Trust.
The students get an opportunity to work full time while gaining a QCF qualification through Wakefield and Harrogate Colleges.
The Medical Records department at Harrogate District Hospital has successfully employed apprentices for two years running, with three securing permanent roles.
Edward Lilley, an apprentice in medical records, said:
My apprenticeship is proving to be a great means by which to gain my Business Administration qualification. My time spent as Medical Records Officer in the Library, together with my attendance at college is helping me gain great experience.
Georgina Ward, apprentice in therapy services, said:
My apprenticeship is providing me with the skills necessary to move on to full time employment!
Since 2010, there have been 2.4 million apprenticeship starts in England. There were 14% more apprenticeship starts in 2014/15 than the previous year. People aged 25 and over make up 43% of all apprenticeship starts.
Nearly a fifth of advanced apprentices progress to higher education over time following their apprenticeship, either at a college or university.
Outpatient Access Manager Samantha Smith, said:
We are very pleased to have introduced the scheme in the department and it’s been really positive to see the progress our apprentices have made. The key theme this year is that ’an apprenticeship can take you anywhere’, with a particular focus on higher skills to show how young people and businesses can ’rise to the top’ through apprenticeships.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is always keen to invest in the development of young people in the communities it serves. The Trust benefits greatly from the flexibility and enthusiasm the apprentices’ provide as a valued part of the workforce.