Barnsley College Apprentice Katie wins national award

The Unsung Hero Awards, held on Friday 1 March at the Hilton Hotel, Manchester, are the only national awards for non-medical NHS staff and volunteers who go above and beyond the call of duty. The aim of the Unsung Hero Awards is to highlight the hard work that non-medical staff and volunteers of the NHS do on a daily basis.

Katie, from Worsbrough Road,Birdwell, is studying a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with Barnsley College.

The 20-year-old beat off tough competition from apprentices from all over the country and was nominated by her colleagues for being a ‘vital member of a small team – who always provides a fast, efficient response to the many requests received each day in a busy hospital’.

Katie said: “I am still in absolute shock that I took home the Apprentice of the Year Award. I would like to say a massive thank you to all my colleagues, both past and present for their support over the last two years to get me to where I am now.

“I usually attend award events as an organiser or a guest, but to attend as a nominee was such a fantastic experience and one I will never forget. I have almost completed my Level 3 qualification and I hope to continue working in communications within the NHS for a very long time. Barnsley Hospital has been very supportive to all my personal development needs and the apprenticeship programme is excellent. I would definitely recommend it.”

Angela Kerley, Head of Business, Warehousing and Logistics at Barnsley College added: “I’m thrilled Katie has won this award. It’s a fantastic achievement and one that she should be extremely proud of.”