Trust highly commended at regional apprentice awards

THE Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has been highly commended for the second year in a row for the success of its apprenticeship scheme, which continues to bring significant benefits for learners and the organisation.

Two of its apprentices, Mandy Harper and Rhian Carruthers, have also received awards for their achievements.

The Trust was successful in the Apprentice of the Year Awards run by Education + Training Skills (ETS), a specialist provider of work-based learning across the South West.

The Trust was highly commended in the Large Employer of the Year category at the awards ceremony at Buckerell Lodge in Exeter.

The Trust works closely with local colleges and training providers and since 2008 has employed around 250 apprentices in healthcare assistant and business administration roles in North, Mid and East Devon.

Mandy, a healthcare assistant at Tiverton and District Hospital, was highly commended in the Personal Achievement of the Year category.

Meanwhile, Rhian, a healthcare assistant at Seaton Hospital, was victorious in the South West Health Apprenticeship Awards.

Rhian beat more than 40 nominees to win the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year (Level 2) category at Holiday Inn Taunton.

The fifth annual awards were organised by Health Education South West, Skills for Health and the National Apprenticeship Service.

Both sets of awards tied in with National Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals and employers.

Darryn Allcorn, director of workforce and development for the Trust, said: “We were delighted to receive further recognition for our apprenticeship programme and are very proud of Mandy and Rhian for their individual achievements.

“Apprenticeships offer an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain on-the-job experience, develop skills and see how different departments work together in a large and complex organisation, and are an ideal launchpad for a career in the NHS.

“Our latest awards success reaffirms the benefits and opportunities these schemes can bring, and we are actively looking to further promote apprenticeships as part of our overall recruitment strategy.”