As part of National Apprenticeship Week (5 February to 11 February), we have been hearing from some of our current apprentices at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) about their experiences.
Janine Graham, who joined EPUT as an administrator in 2017, decided to apply for an apprenticeship in a bid to pursue her dream of being a nurse.
Apprenticeships are open to everyone, whether you are at the start or your career, looking to learn new skills, or changing careers.
Janine, who was an apprentice for four years, was encouraged to apply for the apprenticeship by her manager who offered her support and helped look at options.
She said: “I have always wanted a career in healthcare and was really pleased when my manager told me about apprenticeships and how it could help me develop my career.
“We had a look at options together and found that I could continue to work full time as an apprentice and get the Associate Practitioner (AP) qualification which would enable me to do the nurse top-up in the future.
“I applied for a Health Care Assistant role and worked towards getting my care certificate and Level 3 Health and Social Care, which then enabled me to do the AP apprenticeship.
“It has enabled me to get a job as an Associate Practitioner, which I am really enjoying and it would not have been possible without the apprenticeship.
“I am having a few months off studying after completing the Level 5 in August. I will possibly pursue the nursing top-up in the next year or two, but I am really enjoying my role and taking a break from learning.”
Janine, who currently works as a Children and Young People’s Bladder and Bowel Advisor, added: “I would recommend doing an apprenticeship to anyone who wants to progress within the NHS.
“It does take time and takes a lot of commitment but ultimately the rewards outweigh the hard work.
“It improves your practice and gives a better level of understanding of how to give person-centred care and why that is so important.”
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