Leicester’s Hospitals has marked National Apprenticeship Week (3rd – 7th February) with the announcement that over 500 apprentices have enrolled at the Trust since the Apprentice Education Programme was introduced in 2017.
Over half of Leicester’s Hospitals apprentices were trained at the Trust’s own Apprenticeship and Development Centre, a learning facility, accredited by Ofsted. The centre specialises in health and social care, providing a route to develop the next generation of health and social care professionals across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).
Other apprenticeships, delivered in partnership with third party learning providers, cover a wide range of areas including science and business administration, such as HR, finance and communication.
The programmes start at entry-level and progress through to undergraduate and master’s degree level qualifications. The latter support more experienced employees and graduates looking to develop or change their career. Five employees of Leicester’s Hospitals successfully completed the Trust’s internal management trainee programme, resulting in the award of a master’s degree from De Montfort University.
Helen D’Souza, a trainee theatre practitioner at Leicester’s Hospitals began her healthcare journey at the Trust in 2013 and began a two-year apprenticeship in 2019. She said of her experience:
“It takes a lot of organisation to balance studying with full-time work and managing a family and home. You need total commitment, but it is very worthwhile. I’d recommend apprenticeships to anyone looking to progress their career.”
Julie McCarthy, Senior Learning and Development Manager, at Leicester’s Hospitals said:
“Apprenticeships are an invaluable way of attracting and retaining talent in key areas, including allied health, health care science, nursing and midwifery. The Apprentice Education Programme forms a key part of our ongoing workforce development plans and will enable us to support our current and future patient needs.”
