Northamptonshire Trust and NHS Partners announce winners of the 2019 Apprenticeship Awards
To mark National Apprenticeship Week leading healthcare organisations in Northamptonshire organised their second annual awards this month to celebrate the achievements of apprentices working across health and care services in the county.
The 26 winners of the Northamptonshire Trust and NHS Partners Apprenticeship Awards 2019 were announced at an awards ceremony on 1st March.
Megan O’Connell, Estates Administrator from St Andrew’s Healthcare in Northampton won the overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award, as well as the Value Award for St Andrew’s Healthcare.
Megan started her Business Administration apprenticeship at St Andrew’s Healthcare, following an early career in beauty therapy straight from school.
Megan won because of her outstanding achievements, qualities and behaviours – the fact she is very patient focused and a great ambassador for patient care.
Commenting on her award Megan said, “I feel very privileged to accept this award for myself and for the charity. To me the word apprentice means learning a new skill and opening my mind. I have completed all my apprenticeships while working full time and felt fully supported by my employer and my regional trainer. I am so thankful to them and glad I took the opportunity and pushed myself to the best of my ability.”
“At St Andrew’s everyone wants to transform the lives of patients. Each day we come to work for them. I want to be the best I can be and share that with our patients and anyone I come into contact with.”
Megan O’Connell with her award
The organisations behind the awards include Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust; Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; St Andrew’s Healthcare and Adult Social Care and General Practice.
Jo Stewart, Apprentice Project Manager at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust says, “The healthcare organisations involved with the awards are committed to offering apprenticeship opportunities at all levels, as they believe apprenticeships are an excellent route into healthcare careers.
“We are offering apprenticeships for new recruits starting their careers, as well as for existing staff looking to develop and progress their careers. Our awards provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase how valuable apprenticeships are for individuals and the NHS and social care employers.”
Another winner was Hannah Scanlon, Team Leader at the Local Medical Committee (LMC), who won the Personal Achievement Award in 2018 and this year won the Apprentice Mentor Award, highlighting her amazing progress.
Hannah first joined Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) as a Business Administration Apprentice in 2014. Her journey shows how an apprenticeship can provide a pathway to success and she is now a Team Leader at the LMC, plus has recently started a Chartered Management Degree with the Open University.
The mentor award recognises the support and inspiration Hannah has given to the apprentices on her team.
Hannah says, “Going straight into an apprenticeship from school really was the best decision for me. I have learnt so much and my confidence has really grown. In the last 12 months I have really established myself in my career and now support other apprentices in my team. I am now studying for my Chartered Management Degree, which is an amazing opportunity to have”.
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is part of the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ recruitment campaign. The campaign unites the University of Northampton, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Northampton General Hospital, Kettering General Hospital (KGH), St Andrew’s Healthcare and Northants GP in recruiting doctors and nurses to relocate and live and work in Northamptonshire.
Part of the campaign is focused on recruiting apprentices across the county. There are currently apprenticeship vacancies in the following areas – IT, administration, finance, HR, directorate management, medical receptionist and business admin.
For more details on the apprenticeships available visit: http://bestofbothworlds.uk.net/northamptonshire-apprenticeships/
