We’re sharing the stories of some of our apprentices as part of National Apprenticeship Week — and celebrating the positive impact they make to staff and patients at our hospitals.
There are almost 500 apprentices doing different courses across the trust, a figure that has grown by around 10% each year since 2017.
Neeve Johnson is an operating department practitioner doing a level 6 integrated degree. She chose to work and study at CUH because she wants the opportunity to learn different specialties, be well supported as a student and earn a salary.
Neeve tells us that her course has equipped her with important skills that are useful in the workplace as well as everyday life. This includes problem solving, managing difficult situations and supporting her patients with compassion and empathy.
I enjoy learning about why and how different procedures are being done, as well as providing patient care in the perioperative environment, which is often a very vulnerable time for patients.
Neeve Johnson
Level 6 healthcare science practitioner Sammy Ellis also says the course has improved his clinical and personal skills, telling us: “I have developed my confidence, communication skills and problem-solving skills from doing my apprenticeship.”
Healthcare assistant Holly Petchell believes the most valuable lesson she’s learnt as a nursing apprentice is to be kind to everyone and appreciate every moment.
Holly works on the children’s oncology ward and is completing the first part of her level 5 nursing apprenticeship.
There are many things I enjoy about my role but one of my favourite parts of the job is meeting the incredible families and children we look after.
Holly Petchell
Alex Montgomery tells us of how an apprenticeship with CUH inspired him to a career where he champions equality and helps support colleagues wellbeing.
Alex works as an equality, diversity & inclusion (EDI) administrator within the EDI Team, which is part of leadership and organisational development.
Alex tells us the main skill he’s learnt is organisation, adding:
“I didn’t learn until I was 26 that I actually have ADHD and have unknowingly developed a lot of strategies to stay on top of my tasks. Discovering my diagnosis helped explain why I needed those strategies. It has definitely helped me this past year with managing my normal work and the HR apprenticeship.”
Chloe Giles, has also used her apprenticeship as a stepping stone to a new job and has just started as a business manager with the communications team. Chloe is studying an NHS Data Citizen level 3 qualification.
She tells us she enjoys everything about her role, saying: “I have a comprehensive commercially creative and business background, so to combine this with my commitment and passion for working in the NHS makes it a great fit.”
Chloe has excelled in her apprenticeship role and was a finalist in the National 2022 Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards (opens in a new tab) in the Healthcare category.
She has also recently been shortlisted for the Cambridge Spark Data Awards (opens in a new tab), in the category: Data Citizen Apprentice of the Year.
Hannah Kippax, a medical secretary in the imaging department, explains how her apprenticeship led to new career opportunities.
She joined CUH in 2020 at the height of the pandemic when finding a job was difficult. Hannah felt at a complete loss as to what she wanted to do, but she knew she had a huge interest in working for the NHS.
She specifically chose CUH because of the Trust’s excellent reputation. She also knew other people who worked here and how much they liked it.
Intestinal transplant clinician, Neel Sharma, also chose to undertake his apprenticeship at CUH because of our reputation for clinical excellence. He values the opportunity to study alongside maintaining his clinical work.
Taking time out to study can cause significant deskilling, so being able to still work clinically and gain further education at the same time is great.
Neel Sharma
Neel is studying a level 7 Senior Leader’s Master’s Degree with CUH.
We offer apprenticeships to people at different stages of their career – from school and college leavers taking their first steps into the health service to people wanting degree level qualifications.
Apprentices can choose from a range of courses from nursing and healthcare, through to careers helping to manage the hospital’s estate, such as carpentry and plumbing, and business administration.
Vanessa Anderson, apprenticeship programmes and levy manager said: “Apprenticeships enable Cambridge University Hospitals to equip our workforce with the skills, knowledge and behaviours that ultimately will ensure high quality patient care now and for the future."
An apprenticeship can take between 15 and 51 months to complete depending on the level and subject matter.
Through apprenticeships we can provide career development opportunities that help create a stronger and fairer society in which people from all backgrounds can realise their potential. I am so proud that I can say I support apprenticeships at CUH.
Vanessa Anderson, apprenticeship programmes and levy manager
Apprentices earn a salary whilst studying and don’t need to pay any course fees as these are paid by CUH, so there is no college or university debt. Plus, they get the chance to develop their skills in a world class teaching hospital.
Visit our careers website to read our apprentices’ stories and find out more about combining study with work at CUH.