Solent NHS Trust’s Apprenticeship Team named ‘Large Employer of the Year’
A dedicated team at Solent NHS Trust have been named winners at the News and Chichester Observer Series Apprenticeship Awards.
The apprenticeship team took home the title of ‘Large Employer of the Year’ for their work in supporting over 50 apprenticeships across different areas of the NHS.
Nicky White, Apprenticeship Manager at Solent, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the service we provide to staff at the Trust and it’s wonderful to see our efforts recognised.
“This award means a lot to the team as we have worked hard to make our services unique. We’ve introduced providing pastoral care for all our apprentices, reviewing their progress every three months with a member of the apprenticeship team, helping us to deal with any issues swiftly. These pastoral reviews have improved retention rates and enables the apprentice to get the most out of their apprenticeship.
“We have developed key performance indicators for our training providers to maintain quality programmes for our apprentices with a clear escalation pathway if they are not performing to the required standard. This includes monthly reports which Portsmouth University and Chichester College supply to us for each apprentice.”
Apprenticeships at Solent have opened doors for many staff members, with over 70% of degree apprentices being the first in their family to attend university. 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.
Apprentice, Charlotte Burville, revealed: “Without the support, guidance and enthusiasm of the apprenticeship team, I don’t think I would be as far along my apprenticeship journey as I am. Now halfway through my 3rd apprenticeship, I am more and more appreciative of the opportunities Solent provides to enable to follow my chosen career whilst gaining qualifications along the way.”
Andrew Strevens, Chief Executive at Solent NHS Trust, said: “This team provide a fantastic service in support of our apprentices and always demonstrate Solent HEART values throughout their work. Through their work, our staff are able to learn and develop, ensuring that NHS workforce planning is as skilled, agile and responsive as possible to provide the very best care to residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are incredibly proud of what they do and pleased to see their hard work is being recognised in the wider community.”
To find out more about apprenticeships at Solent, visit: https://recruitment.solent.nhs.uk/your-career/apprenticeships/how-to-apply/