More than 850 apprenticeships have been taken up in clinical and non-clinical roles throughout the county, since the Norfolk and Waveney NHS Apprenticeship Programme began three years ago.

Last year, NHS Norfolk and Waveney was ranked as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer 2011, as well as being awarded the Macro Employer of the Year Award in the East of England region for its Apprenticeship Programme.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney co-ordinates the Apprenticeship Programme across the county. National Apprenticeship Week continues until February 10 and the following events are happening in Norfolk:

* Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Simon Wright MP is due to visit Elliot House to speak to apprentice Jack Murphy on February 10th 2012.

* The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn

An open day with practical activities takes place on February 10 for prospective entrants to apprenticeships.

There will be display boards at the hospital throughout the week, publicising the Apprenticeship Programme.

Case studies of staff who started their careers as apprentices will be published in a Norfolk Apprenticeship Programme “Hall of Fame”.

* Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

A stand with details about the Apprenticeship Programme will be in the West Atrium of the hospital all week.

* James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston

An apprenticeship information point will be in the hospital foyer all week.

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, East Coast Community Healthcare CIC and NHS Norfolk and Waveney have also been holding initiatives as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

NHS staff posts are graded from 1 to 9. Apprenticeships are a framework of qualifications that are available to all new and existing staff in bands 1 to 4 of the staffing structure, who are between the ages of 16 and 69.

Since the programme began in 2009, apprentices have secured substantive posts, as well as university places across the county.

Ian Tegerdine, Director of Workforce at NHS Norfolk and Waveney, said: “We fully support apprenticeships, and view them as an excellent way for existing and new NHS employees to gain valuable qualifications.

“All frameworks are made up of the same four core elements: a diploma, a technical certificate, and key/functional skills in maths and English.

“There are four levels available, level 2, 3, 4 and 5, and we are delighted that they have proved so popular among new and existing employees.”

Apprenticeships are available in the following skills: pharmacy, business administration, customer service, health, health and social care, information technology, accountancy, support services and horticulture.

There are also qualifications available in management and facilities management, and employees can study to become an Allied Health Professional.

NHS Norfolk and Waveney has commissioned a DVD which shows apprenticeship success stories from across the county. To see it, visit: www.norfolk.nhs.uk/apprenticeships

National Apprenticeship Week is organised by the National Apprenticeship Service. For more details visit: www.apprenticeships.org.uk



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