Over 75 per cent of apprentices at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust go on to find permanent work there, according to the latest figures.

National Apprenticeship Week take place next week (8th to 12th February) and Gloucestershire Hospitals will be celebrating the diversity of the apprenticeship opportunities it has available.

The week will showcase the value that apprenticeships bring and how they can help individuals and the organisation build the future workforce.

Gloucestershire Hospitals hopes to inspire the local community by sharing stories of apprentices' progression, demonstrating how it has increased their confidence, skills and knowledge, and how apprenticeships have kick-started incredible careers.

There are currently 268 apprentices across the Trust in a variety of different roles, all with different opportunities available. Every apprentice is supported and developed to help them reach their full potential, achieve success and progress into roles at the hospitals.

Nurses, IT specialists, nursery nurses, audiologists and business managers are just a few examples of careers that have developed at the hospital from an apprenticeship.

Tilly is studying a Level 6 healthcare science practitioner degree. She said: "After many months of being stuck in a classroom revising, I realised that university may not be the right option for me. The idea of an apprenticeship really appealed to me because it is an amazing opportunity to gain knowledge through practical as well as theory. My experience of working within the Trust has been very positive so far and everyone has been very welcoming and willing to help."

Tom has recently completed a Level 3 junior content producer (multi-media) apprenticeship in the Trust. Whilst on the programme, he said: "I was looking for a multi-media apprenticeship and this really stood out. I didn't really know what to expect, but there's lots of variety and I'm really enjoying it. The best thing about the apprenticeship here is it that it feels like I'm part of something bigger, that's really important to me. I'd definitely recommend an apprenticeship in the NHS, it's the best decision I've made."

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust will be embracing National Apprenticeship Week by celebrating with its apprentices, but also offering the people of Gloucestershire an opportunity to get involved too.

The Trust will be hosting a series of Facebook live session available to anyone who is interested in an apprenticeship to find out more. There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the apprenticeships the Trust offers.

On Monday 8th February at 12pm parents are invited to hear about the benefits of their child taking the apprenticeship route rather than university.

On Wednesday 10th February at 12.30pm careers advisors and teachers are invited to put their questions to the Trust's dedicated apprenticeship team.

On Thursday 11th February at 1pm students can speak to the team to find out the answers the most frequently questions.

Between 4pm and 6pm on 11th February, the Trust is holding a phone-in for everyone.

The Trust apprenticeship team can be contacted on 0300 422 5176 and is available to answer questions and offer advice about apprenticeships and career pathways.

Find out more about applying for an apprenticeship at Gloucestershire Hospitals. 

To view live vacancies, visit the NHS Jobs website. 

Picture credit: Google Street View 2018