This week, as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), the Trust’s Apprenticeship Team has much to be proud of, reflecting on the exceptional achievements and continued success of our apprenticeship programmes.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals (LTH) is proud to be recognised as the highest-performing NHS Apprenticeship Training Provider in the North West. With a steadfast commitment to workforce development and quality training, the Trust has seen outstanding results that demonstrate the value and impact of apprenticeships in healthcare.
In the 2022/23 academic year, LTH achieved a Qualification Achievement Rate (QAR) of 81.3%, a 3% improvement over the previous year, and a remarkable 26.7% higher than the national average. This outstanding performance has placed the Trust in the top 8% of apprenticeship providers nationwide, outshining more than 1,100 other training providers. This achievement is a testament to LTH’s commitment to providing exceptional apprenticeship opportunities that contribute to developing the healthcare workforce in our region.
Although the final QAR for 2023/24 is still pending, we anticipate a further 0.9% improvement, projecting an overall QAR of 82.2%, which would further solidify our position as a leader in apprenticeship training.
Our success extends to specific apprenticeship programmes, with the Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship achieving a QAR of 89.4%—a 6% improvement from the previous year and 29% higher than the national average. The Level 4 Learning Mentor Apprenticeship also performed excellently, reaching a QAR of 87%, 38% above the national average. These impressive results highlight the quality and impact of the tailored training we provide to support our workforce.
For the past four consecutive years, LTH has maintained a 100% programme pass rate, empowering 575 employees as of 2024 to enhance their skills, advance their careers, and make meaningful contributions to patient care. This dedication to supporting our employees’ growth is central to the Trust’s success in workforce development.
In 2024 alone, we have supported 120 new apprentices across a range of programmes. This includes 19 new apprentices joining the Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship Programme (HApps), along with 50 Senior Healthcare Support Workers (SHSWs) and 51 Learning and Skills Mentors (LSMs). Additionally, we have supported 20 apprentices returning to learning, comprising 8 SHSWs and 12 LSMs, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
Nearly 100 apprentices successfully completed their programmes in 2024, including 52 SHSWs and 46 LSMs. We are particularly proud that 60% of these apprentices achieved the highest grade of Distinction, with 59 Distinctions, 3 Merits, and 30 Passes. These remarkable results demonstrate the hard work, dedication, and talent of our apprentices, as well as the effectiveness of our training programmes.
LTH’s consistent success in improving apprenticeship achievement rates over the past five years underscores our dedication to providing high-quality education and training to our staff, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to meet the ever-evolving demands of healthcare.
In addition to our apprentices’ achievements, 2024 also brought significant recognition for the Trust and its staff. At the Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Awards in June, Jane Parkinson won the prestigious Team Player Award. In total, 18 apprentices and T-level students from LTH were shortlisted across nine categories, with several individuals receiving special recognition for their outstanding contributions. Notable mentions included:
- Above and Beyond: Anu John
- Perseverance: Emily Greenall
- Rising Star T-Level: Alexandra Rose Redfern
- Equality and Diversity: Stephanie Higham
These accolades reflect the dedication and commitment of our apprentices and staff, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.
The success of LTH’s apprenticeship programmes not only contributes to the personal and professional development of our employees but also plays a vital role in supporting the NHS’s long-term goal of building a sustainable, future-ready healthcare workforce. As we look to the future, the Trust is excited about the continued success and growth of its apprenticeship programmes and the opportunities they create for both new recruits and current staff.
Are you interested in starting your apprenticeship journey with LTH?
For more information or to inquire about enrolling in one of our apprenticeship programmes, please contact the apprenticeship team at Apprenticeshipinfo@lthtr.nhs.uk or visit the apprenticeship information page on the intranet: https://intranet.lthtr.nhs.uk/extranet/circle/7ad08368da018f13dfad2a13cf96976b.
Join us in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025 as we continue to invest in the future of healthcare and the development of our workforce.
