This week is National Apprenticeship Week – an opportunity to shine a light on apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, organisations and even the wider economy.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is proud to support a wide range of apprenticeships and to mark the week, is profiling two – a Staff Nurse and a member of the Trust’s IT training team – who both developed their careers via apprenticeships.
Staff Nurse Louise Collins
First up is Louise Collins. who now works as a Staff Nurse at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
She began her journey at the Trust in 2015 as a Nursing Cadet through Blackpool and Fylde College. In 2016 she joined Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and completed the Level 2 Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship, applying for a position within the hospital’s Acute Medical Unit (AMU) as a Healthcare Assistant.
This led to Louise enrolling onto the Trainee Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship – she qualified as an Assistant Practitioner in 2019 – before enrolling on a two-year Registered Nurse Degree Top-Up, which she completed last summer.
Speaking of the benefits of choosing an apprenticeship, Louise said: “To me a benefit is being funded for this course and also receiving a wage at the same time. I also learn better with being hands-on, so having that real-life work experience on the wards was beneficial to my learning.”
Former apprentice Megan MacCormac
Meanwhile, Megan MacCormac, a Digital Trainer at the Trust, began her journey in 2017 when she worked as an admin in the Blackpool Healthier Minds team before moving to the IT Service Desk where she supported colleagues across the Trust for two years.
She was then offered an apprenticeship opportunity for the IT training team and completed the Level 3 in Learning and Development.
She explained: “To me, a benefit is the hands-on experience that you are getting in the workplace.”
Gavin Leeming is a Practice Development Nurse working in Blackpool Teaching Hospitals’ theatres.
In his role he is responsible for the education of all learners who come to theatres, whether medical, nursing or Operating Department Practitioners.
Gavin Leeming of BTH
He explained why it’s so important for a workforce to include apprentices: “The benefits are massive. Many of our apprentices have previous experience in theatres and/or the wider hospital so have an awareness of theatres, the role and the Trust as an employer.
“They have a good insight into what the role is and often have varied life experiences and skills that they can bring to the team.
“Another benefit is that our apprentices are often from the local community so are more likely to stay with the team or Trust once qualified.”
To see the current vacancies at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals click here.