Get Ready, Get in, Get on, Go Further

Welcome to our first quarterly edition of the Devon Partnership NHS Trust Apprenticeship Newsletter

The aim of this newsletter is to keep you updated with opportunities, updates and information on apprenticeships within the organisation.

It is also an opportunity to showcase the fantastic work being done by our current apprentices. If you would like to get involved or feature in our next newsletter then please contact us.

If you like this newsletter, please subscribe and share it with your friends and colleagues.

DAISY Apprenticeship page / External Apprenticeship page / Contact by e-mail

In this issue

• News
• Celebrating Success
• Did you know…..? 10 Facts about Apprenticeships within Devon Partnership NHS Trust
• Deep dive focus on Administration and Managerial Apprenticeships
• Support for current and aspiring Apprentices – Career Development sessions and Success with NHS applications and Interviews
• Apprenticeship Extra cards
• Support for Managers – how we can support you

Exeter College Apprentice and Employer Awards

Devon Partnership Trust win ‘Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships 2022. Exeter College had this to say about our contribution: “Devon Partnership Trust are an exemplar organisation who are an absolute pleasure to work with. The relationship Exeter College has with DPT has grown over the years into something incredibly special and we fully acknowledge the college would not be the success it is today without key partners such as DPT. It is always a pleasure working with Paul and his team. Nothing is ever too much trouble and the collaboration, support and feedback is only ever positive.  “DPT are a fine example of how to fully utilise their levy. This is easily represented with their high calibre Apprentices and colleagues throughout the Trust. Since the introduction of the levy, DPT have increased their Apprenticeship provision, whether this is through upskilling existing staff or recruiting into Apprenticeship roles.  “It has been a joy to behold how this partnership has developed over the years. DPT are very worthy winners of our Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships 2022 award and we thank Paul, his wonderful team, the wider workforce and their Apprentices for all their commitment and outstanding achievement."

Devon Partnership NHS Trust sign UNISON’s Apprenticeship Charter

We are the first NHS employer in the South West to fully commit to UNISON’s Apprenticeship Charter.

Formally signing UNISON’s Apprenticeship Charter demonstrates our commitment to better rights for workers.

UNISON’s charter highlights well-funded, high-quality apprenticeships leading to a meaningful job, making an important contribution in addressing skills gaps and tackling unemployment. It also calls for apprenticeships to be developed jointly by employers, trade unions, training providers, and apprentices.

Under the Charter, we have pledged to do everything we possibly can to grant apprentices rights to an employment contract and a job offer once their apprenticeship is complete.

Paul Blackmore, lead for apprenticeships in Devon Partnership Trust, said: “We’re proud to be the first NHS Trust in the South West to partner with UNISON in signing the charter. Working together with UNISON to offer the promises of the charter will support a positive future for the Trust.”

Dr Floraidh Rolf, Devon Partnership Trust’s head of education and training, said: ”Apprentices are an amazing and integral part of our Trust’s workforce and its future. The programme offers lots of opportunities to both recruit and retain employees by enabling new staff to join and existing staff to upskill.”

Caroline Emery, UNISON staffside representative, said: “We have been working towards this for the past two years. The work we have done with the Trust in that time has concreted their commitment to apprentices.

“We are proud to have been the first South West branch to get to this point and we hope our work can be a model for future agreements in the region.

“The charter will be proudly displayed in the main reception of the Wonford House site for all to see.”

Natalie Chadwick, UNISON regional learning & development organiser, said: “After completing an apprenticeship myself this year I know how this charter will enable employees to feel valued while building their confidence and skills and empower them at work. Hopefully more NHS trusts will see the benefit and want to sign UNISON’s Apprenticeship Charter.”

Celebrating Success

Firstly, Congratulations to Julie, our Facilities Assistant who won Exeter College’s, Student of the Year award. Julie got a distinction during her Level 2 Facilities apprenticeship. To other staff who have achieved their apprenticeships recently, a massive well done! Forename Surname Apprenticeship Title Sinead-Marie Crout L5 Trainee Nurse Associate Keiley Hollinson L5 Trainee Nurse Associate May Langley L5 Trainee Nurse Associate Nicola Milward L5 Trainee Nurse Associate Katrina Mcilveen L5 Trainee Nurse Associate Alice Seward L5 Trainee Nurse Associate Craig Dennis L3 Professional Accounting Taxation Technician Craig Heistercamp L3 Professional Accounting Taxation Technician Samuel Wallace L3 Business Administration Louise Swann L3 Team Leader Carla Sloan L3 Business Administration Laura Eggins L3 Business Administration

10 Facts about Apprenticeships within Devon Partnership NHS Trust

1. We currently have approximately 169 Members of staff, (34 non clinical 135 Clinical) undertaking an apprenticeship within the organisation.
2. Apprentices can be at different levels, from school leavers and university graduates, to people who want to further their careers or change career direction completely.
3. We contribute approximately £53,000 a month from our pay roll into our Apprenticeship Levy account to provide funding for apprentice training.
4. We offer over 20 different apprenticeships within the organisation. However, over 600 are available in the UK for us to utilise.
5. Apprenticeships are available from Level 2, which is equivalent to GCSEs, to Level 6 (degree) and Level 7 (masters).
6. Duration of an apprenticeship is between one and four years.
7. Many of the non-clinical apprenticeship we offer, also now have the added bonus of embedding the NHS Leadership Academy programmes within them. 
8. An apprentice must spend 20% of their time in ‘off the job’ training. Some of that will be delivered by a training provider, but some of it can involve activities in the workplace that extend their learning outside of their day-to-day role. 
9. Apprenticeships are valued by us because they create employees who have experience and have developed communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.
10. The Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor is the most popular apprenticeship in the UK.

Deep Dive

Focus on Non Clinical Apprenticeships – Administration and Leadership Apprenticeships

As an administrator or someone with line management responsibilities there are plenty of opportunities to take further qualifications and develop your career. You could stay in administration and become a team leader or supervisor or go on to become an Administration Manager. Alternatively, you could move into wider healthcare roles such as finance or project management.

Some administrative staff, such as receptionists, have a lot of contact with patients. Others, can be based across our sites and have contact with healthcare staff, but little or no contact with patients.

Here are some of the non-clinical apprenticeships that are currently on offer.

Recruitment for these programmes happen throughout the year. If you work at Devon Partnership Trust then keep an eye on DAISY or alternatively contact the Apprenticeship Team.

Some useful links for you to explore further:

https://jobs.dpt.nhs.uk/apprenticeships/administrative-and-managerial

Pathways - HASO (skillsforhealth.org.uk)- Corporate

Pathways - HASO (skillsforhealth.org.uk) Leadership and Management

Leadership and Management - HASO (skillsforhealth.org.uk)

2022.03.25 Leadership & MGMT Apprenticeship options series (skillsforhealth.org.uk)

Explore roles | Health Careers

Support for current and aspiring apprentices

Career Development drop-in sessions

The Apprenticeship Team deliver regular career development sessions via MS Teams with a focus on providing information on the huge variety of apprenticeships and other development opportunities that are on offer within the Trust.

Each session focusses on one of the following:

• General – all areas
• Non-Clinical
• Clinical
• Nursing focus

The General and non-clinical sessions also feature information about the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) process and the NHS Leadership Academy offer.

In addition, we also deliver ‘An Essential Guide to Apprenticeships for Managers’ to help them understand how apprenticeships can help support the development of their existing workforce.

Success with NHS Application and NHS Interviews

As a result of feedback we also now short ‘success with’ workshops to give people who are interested in applying for a new role or certain apprenticeships within the NHS the best chance of success with their NHS applications and Interview skills.

To join, pop it into your calendar and click on the link.

What is the NUS Apprentice Extra card?

The NUS Apprentice extra discount card has been developed by the National Union of Students (NUS) and offers apprentices many of the same discounts and benefits as other students.

NUS Apprentice Extra provides discounts in-store and online to help apprentices save money on some of their favourite brands. The money raised from selling the discount card helps to fund the National Society for Apprentices, which will serve to represent the needs of all vocational learners.

For just £11 for 1 year and £19 for 2 years, you get discounts from the likes of The Co-op, Amazon, Dominos, Alton Towers, New Look and much, much, more!

Details of NUS Apprentice Extra can be found online.

Support for you and your team

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions for content please email dpt.apprenticeships@nhs.net