What better way to start National Apprenticeship Week than to congratulate our first ever cohort of Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice Graduates - here are some of them after their first preceptorship* session last week.

Sarah Kenningley, middle, has been through a whopping three apprenticeships here at CHFT. She began her journey as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) Apprentice. After qualifying as an HCA she then took up a Trainee Nursing Associate apprenticeship. Her next step was to undertake a registered degree nurse apprenticeship.

Sarah said: "I am proud to be part of CHFT and a CHFT home-grown nurse. I have been lucky to trailblaze these new roles, and am forever grateful for the opportunity.

"I feel the apprenticeship route has given me a more hands-on approach in the care I deliver. It’s helped me understand the difference in the roles and the part they all play, and the importance and limitations of each role. It also allows me to be a better team player at work".

*Preceptorship is a period of structured transition to guide and support all newly qualified practitioners from student to autonomous professional in order to develop their practice further.

We'll be covering National Apprenticeship Week on our social media and latest news from today, so keep an eye out for more. Thanks to all our colleagues for sharing their experiences, including:

Assistant Practitioner in Acute Therapies, Victoria Sykes - pictured below said: "Self-funding would have been difficult financially, as have a family to provide for and bills to pay. I think it is an amazing scheme to help colleagues progress and develop beyond their current role. "CHFT is such a supportive and inclusive trust. I have worked with and continue to work with some amazing people from a variety of professions. I look forward to continuing to work as part of CHFT as an AHP in the future."

Colleague Engagement Advisor, Andre Mitchell - pictured below -started at CHFT in 2016 as a Recruitment Administration Apprentice. He said: "The best part of undertaking an apprenticeship, is gaining real-world experiences, all while working towards a nationally recognised and professional qualification. I worked alongside experts who trained and supported me to become skilled and an essential part of the team. The apprenticeship pathway has given me the opportunity, to network and connect with colleagues, who I can work with, to create a positive change."

We currently have 295 colleagues undertaking apprenticeships - 90 more than this time last year. Our youngest is aged 16 and our eldest is 54 - there is no upper age limit.

If you want to find out more or are interested in an apprenticeship, please email apprenticeships@cht.nhs.uk