Blackpool apprentices sign on at the hospital trust

The Trust is building its workforce for tomorrow by offering apprenticeships in all areas of the hospital.

Dawn Werra, clinical workforce development adviser for the Trust said: “Apprenticeships provide routes into a variety of careers in the NHS and give an excellent training opportunity for people of all ages to earn while they learn as well as achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

“The scheme also allows the Trust to nurture its workforce of tomorrow by instilling the vision and values of the organisation at an early stage and ensuring that the philosophy of a caring and compassionate environment is adopted from day one,” she added.

Seventeen-year-old Kayleigh Mountford joined the Stroke Ward straight from school. She said: “I have been at the hospital for about a month and get involved in patient care on the ward.

“I help with meal times, washing, keeping patients turned and comfortable. I shadow the other nurses to watch and learn new skills. I have enjoyed the experience very much. This is what I have always wanted to do.”

Stroke Ward manager Rachael Bailey said: “Apprentices are important to the Trust. In this current climate it is essential to grow your own staff as it is increasingly difficult to recruit staff. By bringing in apprentices we can shape the staff to be the kind of people we want working at Blackpool.

“They hopefully will go on to get a permanent job with us as an Health Care Assistant and then go on to do their nurse training.”

Also taking on an HCA role is Kayleigh’s former St George’s school pal, Chelsie Pitchard, 17, who has joined the nursing staff on Ward 26.

She said: “I always wanted to be a nurse and this is really showing me that I have made the right decision.”

Nursing roles are not the only areas that apprentices are finding opportunities. Two trainees, Jennie Aldred and Tom Higson, have joined the finance department. Assistant divisional finance manager, James Eaton said: “Originally to get any role in finance you needed to be quite well qualified so this opens all sorts of possibilities for youngsters.

Both Jennie and Tom will complete Association of Accounting Technicians qualifications.

This year’s recruitment apprentice is 19-year-old Katie Oliphant and the Trust’s sixth apprentice is Trafford Bretherton who is fulfilling his ambition to further a career in IT.

The apprenticeship schemes are run in partnership with both Blackpool and the Fylde College, Training 2000 and Estio Training.

For more contact Dawn Werra on 01253 953244 or at [email protected]