Celebrating apprentices in north east and Yorkshire

Apprenticeship week gives us the chance to celebrate some of our fantastic apprentices and the workforce that supports them. Here at HEE, we are celebrating by shining a light on the variety and volume of clinical and non-clinical apprenticeships available across the NHS. In north east and Yorkshire, we took the time to speak to some of our current apprentices across the region.

Stacey Pullman is currently studying the Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship with Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust,

“The apprenticeship met my learning needs as I am a visual and practical learner. This route provided various opportunities to learn on the job and within practice placements. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to apply clinical reasoning and critical analysis.”  

Chelsea Drew, a Register Nurse Degree Apprentice (Mental Health), wanted a change in career after working in admin roles for Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust since 2011, and qualifying as a Nursing Associate through her Trust in 2019. Chelsea applied to the apprenticeship Top Up to BSc Mental Health Nursing at Leeds Beckett University in 2021, joining the second year of the course due to prior training completed as a Nursing Associate.

“The apprenticeship route has really made a massive difference to my personal and professional life. I never thought I would go to university, so the ability to do this while earning a living wage has been amazing and I feel really lucky to have had the opportunities and colleagues that are so supportive and encouraging.”

Hollie Boyes began her customer service apprenticeship with Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Trust in June 2021.

“Having heard nothing but good things about the NHS and how it is a great place to work and seeing the passion and strength of the staff throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I turned to thinking how I could begin my career in the NHS.

I started reading into apprenticeships in the NHS, which I thought was a great idea as it means I am able to begin my career whilst gaining transferable skills and a qualification at the same time. I work 37.5 hours a week within the hearing services department of my Trust, and study one day a month at college.”

Jamie Howmans is working for Northumbira Healthcare Facilities Management (NHFM), part of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), as a Medical Engineer Apprentice.

“The apprenticeship involves the maintenance and repair of medical electronic devices in NHFT and the surrounding community practices under NHFM.

Whilst I’m at college I learn the theory behind my work so I can understand each job better. I use this knowledge to make the standard of my work better.

I want to use skills and knowledge I am obtaining through this apprenticeship to become a medical engineer technician with NHFM.”

You can read about more apprentices across the NHS on the HASO Skills for Health website.