Solent NHS Trust celebrates 5 years of Apprenticeship Awards
Solent NHS Trust has celebrated 6 years of its incredibly successful apprenticeship programme, with its annual Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony, celebrating the achievements and contribution of NHS apprentices to the local community.
Since 2019, Solent NHS Trust has supported 139 people through an apprenticeship, leading to a formal qualification, whilst also being paid to work for the Trust. 97% have gone on to work permanently for the Trust, with others moving to other NHS bodies to extend their experience.
Some of the more unusual apprenticeship roles include a Junior Energy Manager, supporting the Trust to achieve sustainability goals, and Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Assistant, supporting people to adapt to life without sight.
Many apprenticeships, such as the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship, enable people to attend university, with their fees being paid in full, alongside a fulltime salary. This has proved very attractive offering opportunities for people, who without this, would be unable to attend college or university. The apprenticeship programme supports people wanting to return to work and study and is available to all ages. Two thirds of Solent NHS trust apprentices are over 30, busting the myth that apprenticeships are only available for school leavers. The trust is currently supporting apprentices in the age bracket 56-65, showing that learning never ends.
Amongst those singled out for their commitment and acumen at this year’s awards, was Rochelle Sampson-Clarke, Project Management Apprentice in Solent’s Estates Team, who won the Non-clinical Apprentice of the Year Award. Rochelle has actively promoted the benefits of apprenticeship, whilst working to deliver highly complex estates development plans, across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Georgina Cook, Occupational Therapy Apprentice, won the Clinical Apprentice of the Year Award for her dedication to service improvement, and focussing on staff wellbeing, promoting the importance of self-care. Colleagues said she always ensures patients are involved in their care and delivers this in a respectful and professional manner.
Kate Long, Clinical Apprenticeship Manager at Solent NHS Trust said “Our apprenticeships are ideal for everyone, regardless of age or career to date. If you are leaving college, returning to work after having your family, or you are looking for a complete change of career path, the NHS is unique in offering over 350 different roles. You may be thinking of working whilst doing a degree or looking to secure vocational qualifications. Our scheme might offer you the unique opportunity you are looking for, so come and look at what we can offer you.”
To find out more about apprenticeships at Solent, visit: https://recruitment.solent.nhs.uk/your-career/apprenticeships/how-to-apply/