Publish date: 11 February 2022
The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship week was 'build the future', reflecting on how apprenticeships help individuals develop the skills needed for a rewarding career, whilst helping businesses develop a talented workforce that's ready to bounce back from the pandemic.
West London NHS Trust has been offering apprenticeships as a way of developing staff since 2017 and has enrolled 215 members onto a wide range of courses from business administration to the Senior Leader MBA Level 7 Apprenticeship.
Elizabeth Barker is currently completing the Level 6 Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship through Bucks New University and is in her second year. She started as a health care facilitator at the Trust before starting her Degree Apprenticeship in 2020.
Elizabeth said she's grown in confidence and would encouraging others to consider a career in nursing. She said: "go for it! Nursing is so broad, there is a role for everyone. Every day I am learning and finding out new things about nursing that I didn't know before.
"I am so proud of what I do and feel like I have already accomplished so much. Being a nurse apprentice gives me so much joy and prepares me for what I think is an essential and empowering job as a Registered Nurse."
Faith Ogbebor joined the Trust as a mental health nurse before becoming a ward manager in the Orchard Unit in Forensic Services.
In 2020, Faith took on a new role as BAME Transitional Lead for West London Forensic Services at St Bernard's Hospital in Ealing, and she recently completed the Senior Leader MBA Level 7 Apprenticeship. Faith said she chose to complete the course as part of her professional development following her ambition to become a leader.
She said: "The apprenticeship has given me a different dimension of knowledge and developed the lifelong skills and mindset needed to become a successful transformational leader with an innovative perspective.
"In addition, the training has strengthened my leadership skills, particularly in my current role, where I work with a group of professionals on various projects and can give clear advice and direction. Notably, this training has improved my confidence in public speaking, presentation and project management."
Carol Plows is the vocational development and apprenticeship manager and has played a key role in mentoring staff.
She said: "I have always enjoyed seeing people progress in their careers, being part of someone's learning journey is very satisfying. To know I am making a positive difference to colleagues at the start of their career is very rewarding."
Carol says offering apprenticeship programmes has enabled the Trust to "grow and develop the workforce of the future" whilst supporting existing staff with funded training.
Ali Webster is the Deputy Director of Organisational Development at West London NHS Trust. She said: "I’m extremely proud that West London has invested in growing our own workforce through offering such a broad range of apprenticeships. It means that our experienced staff who may not have had the opportunity to gain academic qualifications in the past, can now do so via the apprenticeship route whilst still working with us.
"Our staff on apprenticeship programmes have years of experience and are now able to see and demonstrate just how great they are by gaining recognised qualifications - so it’s a win, win for us all. The Trust gets to develop great people who are recognised and grow in confidence through what they achieve as well as investing in our existing workforce who already demonstrate and live our Trust values.”
