Apprenticeship Case Studies

The Widening Participation and Apprenticeship Team are delighted to be able to share with you great stories from colleagues who have completed an Apprenticeship at the Trust. The team will continue to build this resource, but we hope you will enjoy reading the stories as much as we did. We aim to show you the diversity of the Apprenticeship Standards available and those who utilise the programme.

If you have an Apprentice who you would like to showcase in the same way, please do not hesitate to contact us, and remember, you will find a link at the bottom of the page to printable versions that can be shared for those who have limited access to a computer.

Apprenticeship Case Studies
Apprenticeship Case Study Name: Sarah Stewart Apprenticeship: Senior Healthcare Support Worker Job Title: Outreach Support Worker

Introduction to the Apprentice –

I am currently working as an Outreach Support Worker which is a role I have held since 2018. In this role I work with the hospital and the community for patients that are coming out of hospital but do not have a formal package of care. Our team are there to ‘bridge the gap’ in a way before the package of care can start. We also complete home visits to patients which helps stop admission by completing tasks such as personal care, meal prep and other tasks which can support the patient in their home environment. I really enjoy the patient focus aspect of the role. I get to speak to many different people and the patients are very thankful to you, so it does give you job satisfaction. In 2020, I saw that there was an opportunity to complete a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship at Level 3. I applied for the opportunity as I had Line Manager support and secured a place on the programme.

Learning and Development –

The apprenticeship was originally planned to be delivered over 1 full day per month in College and half a day on Microsoft Teams, however, due to the Pandemic, the delivery was moved fully onto Microsoft Teams. I was still able to complete my Apprenticeship via this method and all tutors are very helpful and supportive. It’s great too that work gives you the time to complete the course.

Benefits of choosing an apprenticeship as an education route –

The main benefit to me is that I can work full time alongside completing this apprenticeship. I do have a family to support, and I couldn’t afford to go to College or Uni full time, so completing this apprenticeship slots in nicely with my job role and personal commitments.

Achievements and Success –

To me the achievement is being able to balance work alongside my studies and family life.

Future Plans –

I would like to progress onto the Nursing Apprenticeship programme. Becoming a fully qualified Nurse is something I have always wanted to do. The fact that I can complete this qualification via the Apprenticeship alongside working full time is brilliant.

Apprenticeship Case Study Name:Rachel Cowell Apprenticeship: Business Administration Level 3 Job Title: Non-Medical Student Placement Coordinator

Introduction to the Apprentice –

I joined the Practice Education Facilitator Team (PEF) in 2018 as a Band 2 Administrator Apprentice. My duties in this role were to support the team and update team databases and spreadsheets. The Apprenticeship route really appealed to me as even though I had previous admin experience, I had been out of work for a while due to having children, so I knew I needed to update my skills and knowledge. I decided to look for a training opportunity rather than an administration job and this was one of the first jobs that I had seen.

Learning and Development –

I did not have to attend college for this apprenticeship, my Skills Coach came to visit me in the workplace once a month. During my time on-programme, I learnt a lot from the Apprenticeship content which I wasn’t necessarily expecting. I learnt new skills, such as project management which I found very extremely beneficial as this is something that I use in my current job role. There were challenges that I had to face such as completing my final assessment as we had now moved into lockdown. However, I was supported, and I was able to complete my End Point Assessment.

Benefits of choosing an Apprenticeship as an education route –

To me, the benefit of the Apprenticeship is the hands-on experience that you will have. I find that the actual learning on the job is more beneficial than the learning in a classroom. I was able to continue earning a salary too during the completion of my Apprenticeship.

Achievements and Success –

My achievement is completing the Apprenticeship and achieving distinction. The completion of the Apprenticeship has enabled me to progress from a Band 2 to a Band 3 and I’ve recently been successful in applying for a Band 4 secondment which will further improve my career.

Future Plans –

I would like to complete the Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship in the future. I am the type of person who does enjoy learning so I do look out for opportunities that are job relevant and can also lead to further qualifications in the future.

Apprentice Case Study Name: Joanne Beavers Apprenticeship: Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5 Job Title: Service Manager

Introduction to the Apprentice –

My job role at the time of the Apprenticeship enrolment was an Assistant Services Manager. Examples of some of my day-to-day duties are to manage staff, complete Appraisals, budget management and ensuring our team meets its operational targets. My favourite part of the role is the performance side of things, seeing the team’s targets being met.

My Line Manager at the time said this Apprenticeship would be really good for me and my development, so this is when I contacted the Workforce Education Team for some advice and guidance and enrolled onto the Operations and Departmental Manager at Level 5.

Learning and Development –

When the Apprenticeship started in September 2019 it was face to face delivery where we went to College once a month. When COVID hit in March 2020, the delivery changed to Microsoft Teams and it remained in this format for the duration of the course. The tutor was great; however it was challenging not having the tutor on site as before, but our tutor was very approachable and supported us with the new way of working.

Benefits of Choosing an Apprenticeship as an Education Route, Achievements and Success –

A benefit to me was that all topics that we covered in our Apprenticeship were relevant to the job role that I was doing. An achievement was my promotion from Assistant Service Manager to Service Manager. I do believe that this Apprenticeship made me a better person and a better Manager by giving me a deeper understanding.

Future Plans –

I will be progressing onto the Chartered Manager Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in the near future. I would also like to progress further in the Trust.

Apprentice Case Study Name: Victoria Knowless Apprenticeship: Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship Job Title: Assistant Practitioner

Introduction to the Apprentice –

I have worked at the Trust on CCU for 20 years. During this time, I have attended night school and completed my English and maths qualifications and then achieved my NVQ level 2 and level 3 through the Trust which has been amazing. I am where I am because of the Trust. I’ve been qualified 8 years now and I’m currently completing the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship at level 6. My ultimate goal has always been to become a Nurse and it’s thanks to the Trust and their Apprenticeship programme that I am now able to achieve my goal.

Learning and Development –

The academic side of the Apprenticeship has all been through Microsoft Teams due to COVID. We have only been to Uni around 6 times throughout this whole course which has been challenging, however the University and the Trust have been very supportive throughout this time and I have been able to continue making progress.

Benefits of Choosing an Apprenticeship as an Education Route, Achievements and Success –

To me, a benefit of this Apprenticeship is that you stay on your own base placement while on programme, where people know you and where you are comfortable and confident in that area. I have been able to progress my career via the completion of the Apprenticeship programmes.

Achievements and Success –

My graduation day from when I became an Assistant Practitioner. I left school with no qualifications, so this achievement was huge for me. I am very grateful to the Trust in believing in me and funding these qualifications in order for me to achieve this.

Future Plans –

I’m due to finish this Apprenticeship in April, so I am looking forward to working on CCU as a fully qualified Registered Nurse.