Apprenticeships
Training Agreements for newly recruited apprentices:
The Trust fully recognises the importance of introducing new generations of talent to its diverse workforce and currently supports over 40 different apprenticeship schemes. Those schemes provide a first-class training and development programme for roles within healthcare, administration, customer services, facilities, estates, grounds maintenance and more.
The Trust has set a target of taking 150 apprentices each year, by offering a roll-on roll-off programme throughout the year, enabling enrolment at any time and to suit the applicant.
A typical scheme will offer a 37.5 hour per week training agreement. One day per week will be devoted to wider occupational development and learning may take place on-site, or at an appropriate college of further education off-site, dependant upon occupational aspirations.
The remaining time, typically 4 days, will be devoted to on-the-job learning working in the area of their chosen occupational field alongside highly qualified, multi-professional staff. Depending upon the occupational area chosen this may involve shift work to support the 24/7 service the NHS offers to its patients. However,under-18s will not be expected to work after 10pm in the evening.
Apprentices joining the Trust can expect to achieve a full QCF/NVQ Level 2 Framework, consisting of a main QCF/NVQ Certificate, a Technical Certificate and Functional Skills awards, in their chosen occupational area upon completion of the scheme.
The duration of the apprenticeship training agreement is for 12 months, after which candidates may have the opportunity to apply for their role on a permanent basis. At the very least they will have gained a recognised qualification in their chosen occupational area, which will be invaluable for future career progression, as well as 12 months valuable knowledge and practical skills application gained during the paid work experience.
Apprenticeship Opportunities for Substantive Staff:
The Trust also encourages and supports its existing staff with apprenticeship opportunities.
To achieve a full apprenticeship the member of staff will, once approved by their line manager, join an appropriate scheme or programme for their occupational area. Typically an apprenticeship at Level 2 supports those staff without occupationally linked qualifications to work towards gaining them. Each member of staff will be assessed against the skills they own so that any development/training activities are relevant to their needs. Identified training may be run internally at the Trust or at a local college depending upon the framework undertaken. The full apprenticeship consists of a QCF/NVQ, Technical Certificate and Functional Skills awards in the occupational area. When substantive staff join an apprenticeship scheme their prime role, workplace, hours of work and salary will remain the same and do not change.
