Bright spark Abbie scoops health board’s memorial award for her work at RAH
Electrical engineering apprentice honoured to win graduation prize
An apprentice based at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital has scooped a top award for her hard work which is dedicated to a former much- loved colleague.
Abbie Jamieson, 22, works at the Paisley site as a multiskilled electrical engineer and was awarded the Wully Brodie Memorial Award for Estates Apprentices as part of an annual awards celebration by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
The awards ceremony takes place every year as part of the health board’s efforts to highlight the hard work of modern apprentices in hospitals across the region.
From plumbing to electrical work, admin and business support to assisting with patient care, Modern Apprentices across NHSGGC are part of the future of healthcare workforce.
The latest group of Modern Apprentices celebrated their graduation with a virtual event.
The celebration marks the success of young people who have completed their apprenticeships in the last year, and includes the memorial award, which Abbie said is “a real honour” to win.
The hard-working engineer, who is from Cardonald, also said that being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated profession should not put anyone off from applying.
She added: “When I started I was a bit nervous, but the guys welcomed me with open arms and I can do exactly the same as anyone else can.
“When I was young, my dad and I stripped down engines and I knew then that I wanted to do a handson job.
“I’m amazed that I won and it’s a real honour to win the award in Wully’s memory – he was a much loved member of the team.”
This year, there are 15 graduating trainees in total from the following services: Medical Equipment Management, Sandyford Sexual Health Services, Estates, Medical Devices Unit, WestMARC Prosthetics Workshop and Procurement.
This includes young folk who have completed apprenticeships in engineering, plumbing, procurement, business administration and healthcare support.
All have now gained full-time employment with NHSGGC.
Anne MacPherson, director of human resources and organisational development at NHSGGC, said: “Modern apprenticeships are a key part of our strategy and commitment to support young people to start a career within the NHS, and for helping us to develop the knowledge and skills that we need to deliver a high standard of care to our patient population. It’s wonderful to be able to recognise the hard work and efforts of all of those who have gone through the four year programme.”
Tom Steele, director of estates and facilities, said: “Our latest cohort of apprentices have faced real challenges with college work moving online and assessments being a little more difficult than normal, but they have been outstanding.
“It’s been a year like no other, but all of our Modern Apprentices have worked incredibly hard to achieve their goals, their contributions to patient care and keeping colleagues safe have never been more important than during the pandemic. Well done to all of them, particularly our winners.”
There are 28 apprentices currently going through their courses and this year, NHSGGC is welcoming 20 new MAs onto the programme.
The apprenticeship programme is hugely popular and each year, the programme attracts around 1,500 applications for the estates apprenticeships alone.
I’m amazed that I won and it’s a real honour to win the award in Wully’s memory - he was such a loved member of the team