Bethany helps lead the way for hospital apprenticeships

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is helping lead the way for local apprenticeship programmes within the NHS.

This week is Apprenticeship Week 2011 and an NHS apprenticeship scheme is funded by NHS East of England. All the NHS trusts in the Norfolk and Waveney area are taking part.

Fifteen of the apprentices are employed at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Among them is 18 year old Bethany Batson, from Southrepps, who is currently finding her feet as a receptionist at the hospital’s busy cancer centre, where more than 1,000 patients come through the doors every week.

She is delighted to have the opportunity to spend a year combining on-the-job training with a business and admin course at City College Norwich, supported by NHS East of England.

Bethany left North Walsham High School in 2009 and began work as a hairdresser before being made redundant last year. She feels “a special connection” with the Colney Centre as her maternal grandmother has cancer and her paternal grandmother died from the disease four years ago.

“I absolutely love greeting the patients and I feel as though my Nan is watching over me,” said Bethany. “It might be unusual to have apprentices in admin roles but for me it’s a great opportunity. I’m especially happy to be working in the Colney Centre as it’s my favourite place in the whole hospital.”

In total there are 46 apprentices across the county. Norwich has 20 with 15 with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, three at Norfolk Community Health and Care, two at Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health. King’s Lynn & Great Yarmouth also have 13 apprentices each.

On Friday 11 February South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon will be visiting the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to meet some of the apprentices and find out more about the scheme. There are currently 99 apprentices in total at NNUH.

Notes to Editors:

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) supports, funds and co-ordinates the delivery of Apprenticeships throughout England. Apprenticeships bring considerable value to organisations, employers, individuals and the economy.

Businesses across the country are now increasingly realising the enormous benefits that Apprenticeships create, not only in terms of a highly skilled workforce but also by boosting productivity and staff retention.

Research shows they are an optimal way of training, developing and skilling people for the future, helping businesses to secure a supply of people with the skills and qualities they need and which are often not available on the external job market.

The objectives for Apprenticeship Week are:
• To engage and persuade employers of the advantages of employing and supporting apprentices in their workplace
• To highlight the talent and skills of apprentices to the wider public and to employers
• To highlight the range of Apprenticeships available in different sectors and progression routes to potential apprentices.