Trust Launches Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship Programme (HApps)
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is excited to announce that on Monday 16th September, the Trust launched the Healthcare Apprenticeship Programme (HApps), a key initiative designed to support individuals on their journey into Band 2 Healthcare positions. As an anchor institution, HApps is a vital part of our commitment to widening participation, aligning with our social value pledge to provide employment, training and development opportunities that wi
ll support local people into employment.
The opportunity has been developed in response to a lack of stable opportunities to gain a qualification in healthcare through alternative routes, lower than desired retention of healthcare assistants and feedback from individuals who felt hesitant to apply for Band 2 positions. Many expressed that they did not have the confidence or feel competent to fulfil the role and desired a training route into the role.
This apprenticeship provides a 12-month comprehensive learning pathway giving participants the structure, time and support to learn and practice their skills in a safe environment. Throughout the apprenticeship, apprentices will also receive ongoing pastoral support to enable their personal and professional development. We are confident that this approach will help build their confidence, enhance retention and contribute to the Trust’s workforce planning.
We received over 120 applications for this opportunity and after a thorough interview and assessment process, 19 individuals have joined the Trust as our first cohort of Healthcare Assistant apprentices. As part of the programme, we are piloting a small group of mature under-18-year-old apprentices who have demonstrated their enthusiasm and dedication. We are confident that they, like the rest of the cohort, will make valuable contributions to our departments and become excellent Healthcare Assistants.
The first four weeks of the apprenticeship will consist of an in-depth induction process, including corporate induction, mandatory training and additional essential training identified by ward managers through task and finish groups. In week five, apprentices will spend two days shadowing in their placement areas and from week 6 they will start to undertake some Healthcare Assistant duties with support and supervision. Study sessions will then take place on a weekly basis until month 6 when study sessions will be reduced to every fortnight. This front-loaded approach to training has been planned to meet the needs of both the apprentices and the departments they will be working in. Upon completion, apprentices will achieve a Level 2 qualification in healthcare and will secure employment as a Band 2 Healthcare Assistant. They will then have the option continue on a learning journey and enrol onto the Level 3 senior healthcare support worker apprenticeship, now a direct entry qualification to study nursing with most Universities.
We are grateful to everyone involved in the delivery of this fantastic apprenticeship opportunity, particularly the department managers who will provide these apprentices with crucial placement opportunities and guidance. A special thanks also goes to the Apprenticeship Team, Recruitment Team and representatives from the Medicine and Surgery divisions, for their collaboration in developing this innovative programme.
We are excited to welcome our first cohort of Healthcare Apprentices and look forward to seeing them grow and thrive as they contribute to our Trust and its future success.
