To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2026, some of our current apprentices have provided their advice for anyone who may be considering starting an apprenticeship.
Emily, recently completed Business Administration apprenticeship and received a distinction grade.
“If I could give advice to someone thinking about starting an apprenticeship, I would say go for it - it’s a fantastic way to learn new skills while gaining real-world experience. Be prepared to work hard, but the rewards are worth it. The most important skills for apprentices are resilience and adaptability, as you’ll need to manage challenges and keep going even when things feel tough. In one sentence, I would describe my apprenticeship journey as: “A challenging but rewarding experience that has helped me grow both professionally and personally."
Charlotte is currently completing the physiotherapy apprenticeship.
“If someone was thinking about starting an apprenticeship, I’d tell them to go for it. It’s challenging, yes, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You learn so much about the profession and about yourself. The most important skills for an apprentice are resilience, curiosity, and good organisation. And honestly… buy a very good calendar and a yearly planner. They will save your life. My apprenticeship journey has been demanding, empowering, and completely worth the wait.”
Gemma has completed the Customer Service level 2 and Business and admin level 3.
“Absolutely do it! Embrace this journey, it will teach you so much and lift the heavy weight of a stressful learning environment. I understand how daunting and challenging this path can be; it’s not easy for many. But trust me, the rewards are worth every struggle.
Always keep an open mind, stay organised, and be ready to put in the hard work. Apprenticeships can test your resilience, and the amount of learning involved can feel overwhelming. It’s so easy to fall behind when faced with set tasks, and catching up can seem like an impossible mountain to climb if you’re not diligent and organised.
The support I have received through every step has been nothing short of incredible. It’s been a vital lifeline during tough times and has truly prepared me for each stage of my career. Believe in yourself and remember—you’re capable of more than you realise.”
Lucie started in the NHS in 2003, and is currently completing the Operations / Departmental Manager apprenticeship.
“Allocating yourself time is key! I found an hour here or there didn't allow me time to focus properly, so changing this to one day a week really gave me time to knuckle down and concentrate. This learning journey has been a great way for me to learn and try out new ideas with the teams along the way.”
Aaron is currently completing the Registered Nurse Degree apprenticeship.
“I would wholeheartedly recommend the apprenticeship, it’s a great way into a fulfilling profession and gives you the skills to go far. I think as an apprentice, you have to be organised and be able to compartmentalise your mind. You have to be able to switch between working in your normal job role and studying. I would also suggest a helpful mindset would be to be as openminded and willing to engage in different things as possible, be open to the opportunities that are offered.
I have absolutely loved my time as an apprentice, I have grown both personally and professionally and can’t wait to see where the next steps take me.”
Lesley is also completing the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship.
If you’re considering enrolling in an apprenticeship, I highly recommend it! It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn while working alongside experienced colleagues. To succeed as an apprentice, I think you should be adaptable, flexible, and maintain a positive mindset. I would describe my apprentice journey as exciting, hard work and rewarding!
To learn more about training & development opportunities within the Trust, please click here.