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College offering healthy
career options with NHS Apprenticeships
EARLY on in 2017, Hugh Baird College and
Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust announced their exciting
partnership aimed at enhancing career opportunities in the Liverpool City Region
and producing the skilled Hospital
workforce of the future.
The partnership resulted in apprenticeships aimed at both existing NHS staff and
people wishing to pursue a career
within the healthcare profession. The bespoke apprenticeship programmes build
upon the in-house training provided by the
NHS to their Health Care Assistants. As apprentices, they are able to continue
with on the job training working on the
Hospital ward and, at the same time, attend Hugh Baird College for 1 day a
week to work towards an Apprenticeship in
Health and Social Care.
Aintree University Hospital led the way when they signed up the
1st
apprentices at a recruitment day in the summer and
the scheme has been so successful that it has already been rolled out to the
Royal Liverpool Hospital and Liverpool
Heart and Chest. Now, bosses hope that other Hospitals will increase the number
of places being offered to apprentices
too.
Business Development Manager at Hugh Baird College, Lesley Weir, explained:-
"Our
long standing relationship with the
NHS, and Aintree University Hospital in particular, means we have been able to
work together to develop relevant
apprenticeship training programmes and make the most of their Apprenticeship
Levy funding. As well as aiming to attract
more young people into healthcare professions, these apprenticeships enable
existing NHS staff to improve and update
their skills, gaining industry recognised qualifications and enhancing their
career prospects. We're delighted, that both
Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and the Royal Liverpool Hospital are now also
reaping the benefits of this opportunity and we hope to welcome more NHS
apprentices over the coming year."
Nineteen year old, Amy Garcia, had already undertaken work experience on Ward 10
at Aintree University Hospital before
applying for the apprenticeship. Now based on a Gastroenterology Ward, she said:-
"It is very fast paced on the wards
so having the day in College gives you a chance to reinforce the things you're
learning in the workplace. We get great support from the tutors and also from
the other students."
Ellie Ferguson works on the Aintree to Home rehabilitation ward, often with the
elderly and those suffering with
Alzheimer's and Dementia. She said:- "Working on the ward is really
rewarding and attending College one day a week really helps. I am getting more
in depth knowledge in College and learning life skills too, like the values and
empathy that are needed for the job."
Also working with the elderly on a Dementia and Medicine ward is Melissa McRae,
who said:- "Being at College focuses on more specific training, in areas
such as safeguarding, and we can learn in more detail away from the busy ward. I
chose to do the apprenticeship because the progression opportunities are varied
so I can look at different career pathways such as paramedics or nursing."
Paul Smyth, Apprenticeships Lead at Aintree Hospital said:- "We are
committed to supporting the next generation of NHS employees and making Aintree
the employer of choice for people wanting to work in the health service.
Apprenticeships are a great way to get a taste of working in a real NHS
environment and benefitting from the support and mentoring offered by our
dedicated and highly skilled staff."
If you would like to find out more about our range of Health and Social Care
Apprenticeships, telephone:- 0800 046 7720 or
visit-
Hughbaird.AC.UK.
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