It’s National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 February). ‘Build the Future’ is the theme for this year’s week-long celebration which shines a light on how apprenticeships have helped employers and people of all ages and backgrounds.

The main focus of National Apprenticeship Week is to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.
The Apprenticeship and Widening Access team have exciting events planned throughout the week to celebrate the achievements of the Trust’s apprentices, past and present, highlight the amazing opportunities available within the Trust, as well as show how apprentices of all ages and backgrounds are helping to evolve the organisation.

Monday 7th February
Our CEO Paul Roberts, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development (OD) Neil Savage and Associate Director of OD and Learning and Development Ruth Thomas, are delighted to be talking about National Apprenticeship Week, which launches today.
‘Build the Future’ is the theme for this year’s week-long celebration, which shines a light on how apprenticeships have helped employers, such as our organisation, and people of all ages and backgrounds.
In this short film, Paul, Neil and Ruth talk about how an apprenticeship with our Trust can help you build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career within the NHS.
Tuesday 8th February
HCA – Next Steps
- Time: 12 noon – 1pm
- Location: Via MS Teams
This live information session is aimed at colleagues in Health Care Assistant roles who are looking to develop their careers or upskill through the various apprenticeship programmes – adult nursing, mental health and learning disabilities, AHP and TNA.
Click here to join the meeting or email Apprenticeships@ghc.nhs.uk to request an invite.
Wednesday 9th February
Live Careers Information Session for Schools
- Time: 3.30-4.30pm
- Location: Via MS Teams
Promoting career pathways and apprenticeships in the NHS to career leads and teachers in schools and colleges.
Email Apprenticeships@ghc.nhs.uk to request an invite
Thursday 10th February
Live Parent/Student Information Session
- Time: 6-7pm
- Location: Via MS Teams
Aimed at school and college pupils and parents/carers to promote career pathways and apprenticeships in the NHS.
Click here to join the meeting or email Apprenticeships@ghc.nhs.uk to request an invite.
Friday 11th February
Live General Apprenticeship Information Session
- Time: 11am – 12pm
- Location: Via MS Teams
What is an apprenticeship? How do apprenticeships work? What apprenticeships are available?
This live information session is aimed at all staff and managers who wish to find out more about apprenticeships available within GHC – either for themselves or to support developing their teams.
Click here to join the meeting or email Apprenticeships@ghc.nhs.uk to request an invite.
To support National Apprenticeship Week, the Apprenticeship team will be holding a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate our current and recently-completed apprentices and recognise all of their hard work, passion and commitment throughout our Trust.
The nominees are…
- Rising Star of the Year
Anna Binding - Mentor of the Year
Andi Clapham
Katherine Browning
Stephanie Halkyard
Kelly Marks
Yvonne Powell
Dawn Atkinson
Kathryn Dutson
Louise Bevan - Hero of the Year
Rachael Bish - Apprentice of the Year
Max Blowers
Jo Huntley
Lisa Prior-Cox
Anna Binding
Mikayla Bingle
The Apprenticeship and Widening Access team would like to say a huge well done to all those who have been nominated and a big thank you to those individuals who nominated their colleagues for the awards.
Tune into our social media channels at 12pm this Friday (11 February) to find out the winners!
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Apprentices enjoy awards success
We enjoyed a hugely successful night at the Gloucestershire Live Apprenticeship Awards in October last year, scooping five prizes in total, including the Employer of the Year Award.

To support National Apprenticeship Week, the Apprenticeship team will be holding a virtual awards ceremony to celebrate our current and recently-completed apprentices and recognise all of their hard work, passion and commitment throughout our Trust.
The Apprenticeship and Widening Access team would like to say a huge well done to all those who were nominated and a big thank you to those individuals who nominated their colleagues for the awards.
Tune into our social media channels at 12pm this Friday (11 February) to find out the winners!

Sam’s story
Zowie’s story
Jo’s story
Jane’s story

Click here to read Elle's apprenticeship journey
As I write this, I am one month away from completing my 18- month apprenticeship for my Level 3 Business Administration course.
I have been working in our Trust’s School-Aged Immunisation team for the entirety of that time and I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to join such a welcoming and supportive group.
In the time that I’ve been here, I have witnessed and helped with a lot of major changes within the team, including changing our data inputting system entirely in a very short amount of time, whilst seeing the beginnings and progress in how we will deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to children aged 12-15 years in schools.
During all of this change, my support network remained consistent and caring of my progress – ensuring that I had the time to focus on written work, whilst developing my practical skills within a working environment.
I have been continuously supported by my manager, Andi Clapham. Regardless of how hectic the team is or how busy she is with her own workload, she always makes sure that I am comfortable and happy with my own work and guarantees me study time in order to meet my own goals and deadlines in terms of my apprenticeship. She also goes out of her way to join discussions and meetings with myself and my apprenticeship mentor, in order to further understand what she can help with and provide in terms of my learning.
I was surprised to be nominated for the Making a Difference Award in last year’s GHC Apprenticeship Awards, by both my manager and our Head of Service. I was also astounded when I won!
Ultimately, I would say the whole experience in undertaking my apprenticeship has boosted my confidence and self-esteem, in that I know I am capable of any task I set my mind to. Even when I become stuck or unsure, I have an incredible support network to count on for guidance.
I would definitely encourage anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship to dive into the experience, as it has really allowed me to blossom as a professional and opened my eyes to career pathways I wouldn’t have thought myself capable of.