The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is Skills for Life’ and we would like to showcase how apprenticeships can help to provide a wide range of skills to boost your career progression.
Throughout the week we will hear from some of our current apprentices at Essex Partnership University NHS Trust about their experience.
She started her career at EPUT nine years ago in the paediatric diabetes team working as an administrator but she wanted to become more clinical in her role and was advised to do an apprenticeship.
Cathy has been on the apprenticeship pathway since 2019 and has completed a Care Certificate, Lead Adult Care Worker Level 3, Level 5 Lead Healthcare Assistant Practitioner and is currently completing a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Children’s Nursing degree. She will be qualified nurse in October 2025.
“I was inspired by my team to become a qualified nurse because they are compassionate and really care about their patients and I wanted to be like them but I also needed to earn a wage.
“I was made aware that EPUT recruit apprentices and I was lucky to have a team who empowered me to look into it and follow my dream.
“By doing the apprenticeship I was able to complete the first two qualifications whilst my son was at junior school because I was able to fit my studies and work around school time.
“For the level 5 and the degree top up, I waited until my son was at senior school as I knew these would take more of my time away from home attending lectures and placements.
“I have enjoyed my apprenticeship pathway so far as I have been well supported by the trust, my team and the education staff at EPUT and Anglia Ruskin University. It has allowed me to follow my dream without the financial burden.”
She added: “My advice to anyone thinking about starting an apprenticeship is to ensure it is the right time for you and your family so that you can invest your time wisely into your studies. It is never too late to start studying. It is a lot of work, but worth it in the end.”
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