Frimley Health and Care celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
Frimley Health and Care is shining a light on the positive impact apprenticeships in primary care can have; from developing skills for life and providing the opportunity to earn, learn, and make a difference.
NHS Frimley alongside GP Practices across the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead looked at sustainable recruitment across the area given the workforce challenges within primary care.
After a needs analysis and consultation with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, local schools and the Berkshire Skills Hub, a Trainee General Practice Assistant apprenticeship scheme was designed.
The Practice Managers Association (PMA) were selected to provide a recruitment service and co-designed an apprenticeship with the NHS Frimley Training Hub team. Vacancies were launched in August 2023. This led to six people being recruited to the Trainee General Practice Assistant studying to a Business Administrator Level 3 Apprenticeship.
On 1 February, NHS Frimley celebrated their three-month induction into primary care, having gained valuable exposure to the primary care environment, and supporting their growth and learning to enable them to develop essential skills in customer service, administration and confidentiality.
When the apprentices were asked why they chose to take part in an apprenticeship they said:
“After finishing my A-Levels I didn’t want to go to university but knew I wanted to carry on and learn but also work at the same time, so this Level 3 business apprenticeship gives me the best of both – hands on experience learning and a qualification.”
“The apprenticeship offers me skills through learning. I heard positive things about apprenticeships and how it can open doors to other opportunities. Every day you learn something new in a supportive environment.”
Sarah Page, Assistant Practice Manager, said: “There are over 350 careers in the NHS. Starting off within primary care can open doors to a variety of careers - both clinical and corporate - in health and social care.
“Practices work with thousands of people in their local communities, across all ages and all walks of life and no one day is the same. Our apprentices are training and learning on the job and support us as a practice with their fresh ideas, enthusiasm to learn and support our practice growth and improvement. It’s great we can invest in young people.”
Kusham Nijhar, Thames Valley Training Hubs Apprenticeship Lead, said: “Apprenticeships are really about the future of workforce – the opportunity to learn on the job, build the skills that we need now and, in the future, and continually develop in new ways.
“I am incredibly excited to lead this and being able to give young people the best position possible to start and progress in their careers. I really believe in apprenticeships and how integral they are to helping address our health and social care workforce challenges.”
Following the success of the first round of the Level 3 Business Administrator Apprenticeship recruitment, a new pilot project has commenced with practices across East Berkshire. This programme is aimed at all ages, all details can be found on our website Apprenticeships | Frimley Health and Care
Notes for editors:
Since October 2021, there have been 51 active apprenticeships in Frimley. 45% 23 have completed. Of the completers, there is an 87% retention within Frimley primary care.
