5th January 2017
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT) held an Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony, in collaboration with South Devon College, to recognise the commitment, contribution and success of the many people involved in their apprenticeships.
A total of eight awards were presented on the night for clinical and non-clinical roles as well as leadership and management roles, including six awards to apprentices themselves and two further awards to mentors from the College and the Trust:
- Narnia Kestell, Level 2 Team Leading
- Sarah Robinson, Level 3 Healthcare
- Elaine Wilson, Level 4 Healthcare – Assistant Practitioner
- Kylie Titchard-Jones, Level 4 Management and Leadership
- Megan Clemence, Level 5 Management and Leadership
- Sureekanthi Dodd – Outstanding Achievement Award
- Tracey Collins, Associate Director of Nursing Workforce for TSDFT – Apprenticeship Ambassador
- Nikki Hayes, Assessor/Training Officer, South Devon College – Special Award
Apprenticeships have been part of the Trust for a number of years, but this is the first year that awards have been presented, and the Trust is now planning to make the ceremony an annual event.
The Trust currently has 122 apprentices working towards qualifications in a wide range of roles; including healthcare, digital media, laboratory technicians and customer service. In September 2016 the Trust achieved Gold Level in Fair Train’s national Work Experience Quality Standard. This national accreditation provides a framework for organisations to work towards, ensuring the placements they offer are high quality.
Lawrence Frewin, Vice Principal Corporate Services and Deputy CEO at South Devon College said, “Having worked collaboratively with the Trust for 10 years, we are delighted to say that the relationship is now stronger than ever before. This strong partnership makes the very best use of the expertise within clinical and academic practice and has led to one of the partnership’s greatest successes; the jointly delivered and innovative Foundation Degree (FDSc) in Healthcare Practice producing an excellent and well established workforce of Band 4 Assistant Practitioners. This was recognised as a strength during a recent visit by Professor Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, Director of Nursing at Health Education England, and by Dr Sarah Wollaston, our local MP and Chair of the Parliamentary Health Select Committee.
“South Devon College is passionate about skills development and training, especially apprenticeships. The college and the Trust are leading the way in the South West and, in addition to the large number of apprentices at the hospital in a huge range of disciplines, the college and the Trust are jointly the first provider and employer to have a cohort of Chartered Management Institute Level 6 Management Degree Apprentices.
“All of this is on offer locally, and on the job. Earning and learning has never been more tailored, or higher quality, or easier to access.”
Helen Limmer, Head of Vocational Training and Apprenticeships for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “An apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future.
“Working in partnership with South Devon College, our joint strategy will form a sustainable process to develop high quality apprenticeship programmes and ensure a safe and competent workforce for the future.
“Congratulations to everyone who has won an award and I would like to say a special thank you to South Devon College for sponsoring the Apprenticeship Award Ceremony and to B&Q Torquay who kindly donated the Christmas tree and lights.”