Trust apprenticeship scheme recognised by Ofsted as a 'Good' provider of quality education for future NHS talent
The apprenticeship scheme led by the Learning and Development Team, was rated 'Good' across four key themes, following an inspection by Ofsted. The themes include quality of education, personal development, behaviours and attitudes, leadership and management.
The Ofsted report >, published in March 2025 highlighted that the Trust's approach to learning and development was overall positive and reflected the compassionate and inclusive values we strive to embed in our workplace culture, with clinical educators tailoring the learning experience for our diverse student cohort to ensure they get the most out of the programme.
UHDB aspires to be one of the best places to train and learn, and actively embed a positive, inclusive and person-centred culture. This starts by offering an exceptional learning and education experience that equips our colleagues with the right skills, knowledge and confidence to deliver their roles, continuing to meet the changing health needs of our population.
Apprenticeships offer people the opportunity to learn, develop and train for skilled jobs while earning an income. This flexible approach allows people to get to grips with the practical parts of a role, while working towards their formal qualifications.
One of the pathways offered by the Trust as an Employer Provider, is the level 2 clinical apprenticeship programme. This is delivered by UHDB through both classroom and practical learning to gain their qualifications. This programme has consistently received positive feedback from learners, majority of whom go on to secure permanent roles as qualified Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW) at UHDB and other NHS organisations.
"I have really enjoyed my time on the apprenticeship as it has given me the opportunity to show patients the holistic care they need and deserve." - Ellie, Clinical Apprentice in Health.
This pathway is a developmental opportunity to learn clinical and non-clinical skills, whilst playing a key role in delivering exceptional standards of patient care as a Healthcare Support Worker. Nine apprentices have completed the programme, a number currently working through and more cohorts starting in the next few months.
Ellie Gompertz, Clinical Apprentice in Health, shared her reflections about her journey and said, "The Healthcare Assistant apprenticeship has allowed me to put my empathy and compassion into practice and has given me the space to develop further into my career. The mixture of college classes and working on the ward really compliments my way of learning and has allowed me to put into practice the skills and knowledge that I have learnt in class."
I have really enjoyed my time on the apprenticeship as it has given me the opportunity to show patients the holistic care they need and deserve. I am now applying for the Student Nursing Associate Apprenticeship because I am so confident in the apprenticeship and its ability to benefit my learning".
HCSWs are a valuable part of a clinical team, carrying out duties like taking some health vital signs from patients, providing them with emotional support while they receive care, advocating for patients and their families, and other general ward duties.
Clinical Apprentice in Health, Tess Naismith, said "Throughout this apprenticeship there has not been a dull moment. I have learnt more than I ever expected and continue to learn now even towards the end of my apprenticeship. I have been thoroughly supported from start to finish from everyone; the apprenticeship is an amazing opportunity into healthcare, and I could not recommend it anymore then what I already do."
In 2024, two UHDB healthcare support worker apprentices, Adam Olton and Harriet Sowter, won awards at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards 2024, for their outstanding effort and contribution to the Trust >. Both have completed their developmental pathways and are now registered professionals, with Adam qualified as a Registered Nurse and Harriet, a Registered Nursing Associate, and is continuing her top-up to nursing.
"It is really important we can offer a competitive and attractive offer to our future workforce enabling us to train, recruit and retain a highly skilled workforce, where better to start than the vital role of support workers." - Faye Leatt, Head of Careers, Apprenticeship and Operational Development
Faye Leatt, Head of Careers, Apprenticeship and Operational Development, said apprenticeships are a key part of our strategy to recruit and retain a workforce with the right people and skills to deliver exceptional patient care.
Faye said: "Each year, we welcome hundreds of new people into apprenticeships to start their career in the NHS or develop them into a new profession that supports them to learn new skills and qualifications.
"We have really invested in developing our apprenticeship service by building good relationships with our education partners and are pleased to offer a high quality and exceptional award-winning apprenticeship service to our future NHS workers, that is Ofsted-approved.
"Last year, our work experience team won the T-Level employer of the year award and three of our apprentices won at the regional Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards for their outstanding commitment and dedication to providing good and safe opportunities for young people in the healthcare sector. We want to be one of the best places to work and learn in the region, providing flexibility to work-and-learn in the sector and we know that providing a really good standard of education and development is key to achieving that.''
The Trust apprenticeship scheme offers clinical, digital services, estates and facilities, and administration and clerical roles - learn more here >.