New apprentice scheme will help ABMU grow future talent

New apprentice scheme will help ABMU grow future talent

NPTC Group of Colleges has successfully recruited 19 apprentices aged between 16 and 24 for the ABMU.

The latest recruits who signed up for ABMU’s first apprentice programme have now started their new careers across the NHS including IT, Business Admin and Customer Service.

The group are taking up posts in a variety of departments, thanks to the pilot initiative which offers them a fixed-term 12-month contract on apprentice pay rates while they work towards a nationally recognised qualification. The apprenticeships will not only give the recruits a chance to build up their CVs and experience but also provide a close-up look at the health service and the many career opportunities it offers.

The apprentices’ training is delivered entirely in the workplace with the Colleges’ highly experienced assessors on hand to guide them on top of enhancing essential skills including digital literacy, communication and application of number. The long-term aim is for them to be offered a permanent position at the end of their contract.

James Paton, aged 22, will be taking up a role in the catering department at Singleton Hospital.

He said:  “I had been doing work experience as a porter at Singleton and absolutely loved it so when this apprenticeship came up with the chance to work at the hospital I was really interested.

“It’s not about the money, it is about doing something that will give me training and open up opportunities for the future.”

Dad-of-two James, from Bonymaen, said he thought the apprenticeships were a great way of giving young people a chance to learn new skills and qualifications.

“I wish I had done something like this when I was younger but I can’t wait to get started now.”

Sophie Thomas, aged 20 from Llangennech, will be working in business administration at Neath Port Talbot Hospital and is also delighted to be joining ABMU.

She said: “I have always wanted to work for the NHS. I worked in retail before but knew that wasn’t for me. I had been looking online for vacancies when I saw the apprenticeships and applied straight away.”

ABMU’s Learning and Development manager, Ruth Gates, said: “We had a really good standard of applicants and we are very excited to be welcoming them aboard.

“I am sure they are going to be real assets to ABMU and we hope this will be a useful step on their career ladders.”

Thinking about an apprenticeship? Well watch this space as the initial apprentices’ campaign, which was launched in August, had been such a success that ABMU is already planning another wave of recruitment in February when there will be more apprenticeships available in a wider range of departments.

For more information on how an apprenticeship can take you further, please contact our Work-based Learning team on 01639 648064.