New apprentices in training

National Apprenticeship Week saw 14 new Apprentice Health Care Support Workers join Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. They are the successful candidates from a pool of more than 200 applicants.

Over the next 14 months, the apprentices will be learning on the job by providing support to service users with mental health issues and learning disabilities. They will be offered training and support to successfully complete a Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care and certificates in numeracy and literacy. On successful completion of their apprenticeship, they will be offered permanent jobs as Health Care Support Workers.

Susan Tyler, Director of Workforce Development, said: “Our apprentices will be given opportunities to develop skills which will help them to work closely with our service users. This includes providing daily living support, such as assisting in the provision of safe environments, helping individuals to maintain their independence and inclusion and supporting the care of people who are in crisis or are experiencing problems managing their condition.

“They will find that every day caring for people with mental illness or learning disability can be challenging, but really rewarding. We hope they will realise how much we value their work and we hope they will join us permanently next year.”