Apprentices make it to regional finals

Two apprentices from York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have made it to the finals of the Yorkshire and Humber region NHS apprenticeship awards organised by the Strategic Health Authority (SHA). These awards are organised on an annual basis to celebrate apprentices within the NHS.

Sarah Lillie (19) who works in the Corporate Learning and Development Team was short listed for NHS Non-Clinical Apprentice of the Year whilst Joe Brockway (24) was short listed for Estates Apprentice of the Year.

Sarah and Joe will attend the regional awards tomorrow night (Friday 15 March) at the Marriott Hotel in Leeds - which marks the end of National Apprenticeship Week.

Claire Varley, Learning Administrator who nominated Sarah explained: "Sarah began looking at apprenticeships as a way of starting her career and from the moment she came for interview she stood out from the other candidates. She typifies the perfect apprentice seeing it as a platform for learning and developing her skills whilst equipping her with the knowledge to progress further on her chosen career path.

"Sarah's role consists of processing the administration of course bookings, setting up training venues, updating staff learning records, organising team meetings and supporting staff in completing e-learning modules.

"She has embraced the qualification of the apprenticeship by attending college on a weekly basis and has had excellent feedback from her college assessor.

"Sarah is halfway through her apprenticeship and is already a valuable asset to the team. Her calm assured manner and excellent customer service skills are far beyond her years and she is a role model to others in the team. We wish her all the best for Friday and are very proud that she has made it this far."

Peter Ulliott, Building Services Manager at York Hospital explained: "Joe Brockway began a Mechanical Apprentice with the Trust in September 2008. During his apprenticeship he has learned about all the systems and equipment that the Estates Department have to look after.

"He attended day release classes at York College where he took and passed examinations in mechanical engineering, plumbing and electrical installation all skills that are required to operate a busy hospital, winning the Apprentice Plumbing Award one year.

"Additional to this Joe also attended courses organised by the Estates Department on Legionella Control and Pressure Systems, he has also become the Trusts Lead Person for Decontamination processes - we believe he is the youngest person in the country to have attained all the required standards to be able to carry out these tasks."

The York Hospital site currently has 19 apprentices on a variety of programmes. In total 53 people - either new recruits to, or existing staff on, the York site - have been enrolled on an apprenticeship over the last 3 years, with a success rate of 84.62% amongst the 29 people whose programme have been concluded. Of the 19 who were newly recruited to the organisation and completed their apprenticeships, 16 have gone on to permanent employment with the Trust post-qualification.

Will Thornton, Assistant Recruitment Manager, said: "York Hospital offers a variety of apprenticeship roles and levels - the higher level is equivalent to a foundation degree. We have apprentices in administration, health care support, and accountancy. Apprenticeships have something to offer everyone, whether they are young people starting out on their career or existing staff of all ages that want to develop their skills."

More details of apprenticeship opportunities can be found on the York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust website, www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk

19 April 2013