Hundreds enrolled as apprentices in NHS

MORE than 500 apprentices have enrolled at Leicester’s Hospitals since 2017.

It was announced as the trust marked National Apprenticeship Week.

Since the Apprentice Education Programme was introduced, more than half of Leicester’s hospitals apprentices have been trained at the Trust’s Apprenticeship and Development Centre, which is accredited by Ofsted.

The centre specialises in health and social care, providing a route to develop the next generation of health and social care professionals across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Other apprenticeships, delivered in partnership with third-party learning providers, cover areas including science and business administration, HR, finance and communication.

The programmes start at entry-level and progress to undergraduate and masters degree-level qualifications.

The latter support more experienced employees and graduates looking to develop or change their career.

Five employees of Leicester’s hospitals successfully completed the trust’s internal management trainee programme, resulting in the award of a masters degree from De Montfort University.

Helen D’Souza, a trainee theatre practitioner at Leicester’s hospitals, began her healthcare journey at the trust in 2013 and took up a two-year apprenticeship last year.

She said: “It takes a lot of organisation to balance studying with full-time work and managing a family and home. You need total commitment, but it is very worthwhile. I’d recommend apprenticeships to anyone looking to progress their career.”

Julie McCarthy, senior learning and development manager at Leicester’s hospitals, said: “Apprenticeships are an invaluable way of attracting and retaining talent in key areas, including allied health, health care science, nursing and midwifery.

The apprentice programme forms a key part of our ongoing workforce development plans.”