Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week at Gloucestershire Hospitals

At Gloucestershire Hospitals, we’re proud to support and develop the next generation of healthcare professionals, providing hands-on experience, career progression, and life-changing opportunities.

With 290 apprentices currently training across our Trust, we’re committed to investing in people and their potential. On this page, you’ll find inspiring case studies from our apprentices and T-Level students, sharing their journeys, challenges, and successes. You can also tune into our special podcast series, where members of our Apprenticeship & Careers Team, alongside current apprentices, discuss the opportunities available and the impact of these programmes.

Chief Executive Kevin McNamara shares why apprenticeships and T-Levels play such an important role in shaping the future of our workforce:

"We want our Trust to not only be a great place to receive care but also a great place for people to have access to new opportunities to develop themselves and to build a really successful healthcare career. National Apprenticeship Week has been all about shining a light on the opportunities we have available to embark on a new and exciting career path. Apprenticeships and T-Levels are just some of the ways we want to create life-changing opportunities and reach out to all parts of our Trust and the wider local community, giving everyone the chance to do something really special."

Claire Radley, Director for People and OD said "National Apprenticeship Week highlights our commitment to apprenticeships and T levels, and our investment in individuals to develop skills for fulfilling careers and a future-ready workforce. It’s a lovely opportunity to celebrate the diverse pathways, and shine a light on our colleagues’ experiences."

GMS Managing Director Mike Gregson shares why National Apprenticeship Week has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the pathways available for career growth:

"At Gloucestershire Managed Services, we are committed to creating opportunities that help people build successful and rewarding careers. As an organisation that plays a vital role in supporting our hospitals, we know how important it is to invest in skills and development. National Apprenticeship Week has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the pathways available, from apprenticeships to T-Levels, that can help individuals grow, learn, and thrive. We want to ensure that everyone—whether within our teams or across the wider community—has the chance to take that first step towards a fulfilling career in healthcare and facilities management."

Hear from our Apprentices

Immy

School History:

I attended Severn Vale School, where I studied a range of subjects, including English, Maths, Science, Health & Social Care, Child Development, Sociology, and Spanish

How did you get into this post?

When I was 12, my sister did an administration apprenticeship, so I always wanted to follow in her footsteps, but I wasn’t sure how to get there. While I was in GMS (my Mum was my Boss) I asked her if she could look out for any Business Admin apprenticeships within the trust, so then I caught light of my current role and I had put my all into making sure I get this job and I am very happy with how it has all turned out.

What is the role of an Business Administration Apprentice?

I support daily office operations by booking rooms and meetings, handling emails and calls and assisting different departments. While working, I also study towards a qualification in business administration, gaining skills in organisation, communication and problem-solving, this apprenticeship provides hand on experience and a strong foundation for a career in business.

What is your day to day role?

As a business admin apprentice, my key responsibilities are:

• Process and distribute apprenticeship certificates
• Handle phone and in person enquiry's
• Manage apprenticeship & Careers inboxes
• Support administrative tasks
• Take minutes during meetings.

As a Business Administration Apprentice in the Apprenticeship and Careers team, my week is varied and engaging. I manage emails, respond to enquiries, and process apprenticeship certificates while assisting with phone calls and administrative tasks like printing and scanning. I also take minutes in meetings, and support the team with any urgent tasks. Each day brings new challenges, helping me develop key skills in communication, organisation, and teamwork.

Hayley

School History:

I attended Churchdown Academy Secondary School studying for my GCSE’s in; English, Maths, Science, Media, Photography and Business.

How did you get into this post?

Instead of going to college, I decided to apply for an apprenticeship. It’s a much more practical route. I found the apprenticeship advertised on Indeed and decided to go for it and see what happens. Luckily I got it!

What is the role of an Apprentice Hospitality Team Member?

I currently help out in Fosters Restaurant, and work in retail. I will be moving onto patient meals and going into the kitchen to see how that works. I work across sites to compare against my base at GRH and meet the staff.

What is your day to day role?

I serve customers, help clean, refill coffee machines, work the till and complete apprenticeship work by receiving protected time for study. I am currently completing assignment 1 on the Hospitality Team Member Level 2 Apprenticeship.

Do you have any additional comments?

My team members are lovely, supportive and help me learn. The managers and supervisors push me to try new things and step out of my comfort zone. The apprenticeship wasn’t what I was expecting but I’m enjoying it and my team are so kind.

Hear from our T-Level students

Cam

Why did you choose to do a T Level?

I chose to enrol on the T level course as I wanted to combine learning and Placement within a Hospital setting, The T Level allows me to this.

Where is your placement and how are you finding it?

My placement has been at GRH on ward 3B which is a trauma and orthopaedic ward. I enjoy my placement on this ward as from day one I have felt a valued member of the team. No day is the same, you get to meet lots of different patients and help towards their care. My biggest challenge has been attending placement alongside a chronic health condition.

Does anything surprise you about your placement and the job role?

Being on placement you learn something new every shift, each time I enter the ward there is always a new challenge. I have been surprised at how welcoming the patients are to having a young male on the ward. They are always happy to see me on shift and have even asked about me when I am not there.

What are your career goals?

My long-term career goals are to continue to work For Gloucestershire hospitals and continue to further advance my skills and experience before embarking on a future career as a Paramedic.

Bobbi

What are your career goals?

I am hoping to do the Midwifery Degree Apprenticeship when it comes out and will continue as a MSW to build on my knowledge and skills.

Why did you choose to do a T Level?

I have just finished my T Level in Health (supporting the Adult Nursing Team) and was awarded Merit

I started at GlosCol on a BTEC Health & Social course but was struggling with the assignment side of things. I had heard about T Levels so, at the end of year 1 moved over to T Levels as I knew you could learn more practically and had a chance to go to the Hospital to experience a career I wanted to pursue in the future. Also, I knew that I would achieve the equivalent of 3 A Levels and I thought there was no better choice for me! I really enjoyed the lessons both practical and theory as they both taught me so much knowledge ready to take out on placement.

Where is your placement and how are you finding it?

My placement was within maternity, which was my dream as I want to become a midwife in the future. I experienced all the different areas. Eg maternity ward, antenatal, neonatal, birthing and delivery suite. I experienced natural births and c-sections and weighed blood loss and babies which was really interesting. Each area was different and I kept building on my knowledge becoming more and more confident throughout the first year.

In the second year I applied and was offered a bank contract, so picked up bank shifts where I could earn. I could also continue to develop in the MSW role; I was more independent regarding tasks eg breastfeeding and therefore became more confident.

When I started on placement, I absolutely loved it; everyone was so lovely and welcoming and couldn’t wait to show and teach me everything they knew. I felt part of the team straight away.

Tune into the Podcasts

Podcast 1:

The first instalment of a podcast mini-series designed to support National Apprenticeship Week 2024, Lisa Ferris speaks with members of the Apprenticeship and Careers Team as well as current apprentices to discuss their opinions, thoughts and knowledge of apprenticeships within the Trust.

Podcast 2:

In the second podcast from this mini-series, Lisa talks to mother and son, Sarah and Josh Penston. Sarah has supported many apprentices in her role as a manager in the Trust and her son, Josh has first-hand, personal experience as an apprentice.

Podcast 3:

This Podcast focuses on the journey of Ella as she transitions from a Health Care Support Worker/Health Care Assistant to a Nurse in the Trust. Ella talks about the challenges growing up in the care system throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the support she received by reaching out to managers and the apprenticeship team to find a work-life balance.

Podcast 4:

Our latest podcast features two T-Level students in their second year with us at Gloucestershire Hospitals. They share what life on placement is like, the skills they’ve gained, and how their experience is shaping their future careers.