The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust recently welcomed its 100th Apprentice with the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group since August 2022 - demonstrating the significant impact Apprenticeships have in supporting the economy.
Macey Denise Brooks, who is the 100th apprentice, will begin her Level 2 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s Dewsbury and District Hospital.
Macey said: “When exploring my options for my future, an Apprenticeship really appealed to me as I like to learn practical skills and being able to apply them in real environments. I’m really looking forward to starting my Apprenticeship and I can’t wait to learn about patient care. I hope to one day become a nurse.”
Since the partnership was formed over 15 years ago, Apprentices have worked across the Mid Yorkshire NHS Trusts’ Hospitals including Pontefract Hospital, Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield and Dewsbury and District Hospital.
These include Business Administrator, Customer Services, Healthcare Science Assistant, Healthcare Science Associate, Healthcare Support Workers and Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprentices.
Many of these apprentices have progressed onto the Trust’s Trainee Nursing Associate programme and successfully secured roles as Nursing Associates within the Trust. Others have also continued in their Healthcare Assistant Role or progressed onto degree-level Apprenticeships.
Anita Mason, Organisational Development Apprentice Manager at the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We’re delighted that we have been able to offer 100 apprentices roles working across our hospitals, delivering services which are fundamental to the running of the NHS. It’s incredibly important that we’re able to inspire the next-generation, or capture those wanting to start or change their career path at an early stage, and our Apprenticeship scheme with the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group enables us to do exactly that. Apprenticeships are not only a fantastic opportunity for apprentices to earn while they learn, but provide them with a foot in the door to what can be lifelong, fulfilling career within the NHS.”
Currently, the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust has more than 300 apprentices from the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group on programme.
Lorraine Cross, Executive Director for External Relations and Development at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “We work closely with the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to help shape and develop our Apprenticeship offering in line with their skills demands and industry standards for hospitals. This ensures we offer a delivery model which suits both the organisations’ and the apprentices needs, providing the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust with a readymade workforce and the apprentices with valuable skills and hands-on experience in their chosen industry. Welcoming our 100th apprentice clearly demonstrates the impact that Apprenticeships have both on a local and national scale and how they can provide a highly-skilled, talent pool for vital organisations like the NHS.”
Acknowledging its collaborative work, the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust was presented with the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group’s Special Recognition award at its Apprenticeship Awards 2023, which took place during National Apprenticeship Week.
Level 2 Healthcare Assistant Apprentice, Nina Borowik, also received the Health & Education Apprentice of the Year award for her willingness to learn and take on new tasks.
Len Richards, Chief Executive of the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I’m exceptionally proud of the success of my colleagues at the Apprenticeship Awards in recognition of all the work we have undertaken at the Trust to support apprenticeships over the years. I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the team at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group to further progress this exciting work. Congratulations to all involved for your fantastic contributions. Also, a huge well done to Nina for your hard work and dedication – I’m looking forward to seeing how your career progresses with us here at the Trust.”