Celebrating our apprentices
The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has been celebrating the hard work and dedication of its army of apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Apprentices provide a significant contribution to Rotherham’s healthcare services in patient facing roles, as well as those less visible, but no less important, to patients and members of the public.
Since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in 2017, The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has supported 299 apprentices to complete their studies, with many more in the process. The Trust supports a variety of apprenticeship programs, working with local and national education providers, to provide valuable hands-on experience and professional development for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Graham Travis, the Trust’s Apprenticeship Manager, said: “Through apprenticeships, we have helped upskill members of our existing workforce as well as helping people enter a new career in the NHS.
“As well as apprenticeships, we’re excited to be welcoming our first Health T-Level students next month when they start their placements. Last year, we welcomed our first ever T-Level student, Martin, who was completing a Digital T-Level and became a great asset to our IT team.”
The Trust has seen a number of successes over the years with apprentices winning awards for their efforts. Last year, Catherine Jay was rewarded for her achievements, winning ‘Learner of the year 2024’ at the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership Awards.
Cath has completed two apprenticeships through the Trust; a Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner and most recently, a Level 6 Occupational Therapist (integrated degree). Reflecting on her apprenticeships Cath said: “I wanted to push myself and have that personal achievement, as well as progressing my career.
“I think as an older learner, you do doubt yourself a little bit. You think, ‘can I do this?’ I've been out of education for so long. So it was a massive personal achievement, and the push that you sometimes need to give yourself to prove you can still accomplish big things.
“You don't have to just settle for life as it goes by. You can push yourself and be something that hopefully your kids would look up to.”
Information about apprenticeships is available on The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust’s website.