Success stories - Apprenticeships

Safia Jama — Social Worker Apprentice

Why did you choose to sign onto this apprenticeship?

For over a decade, I worked in support roles in the mental health, both in-patient wards and in the community. I choose this apprenticeship training, as it equips me with a broader skill set to address various social issues and enhance my career opportunities. It allows the ability to advocate for vulnerable people and communities, ultimately enhancing my capacity to make a positive difference in their lives.

What specific skills or knowledge have you gained so far?
So far, I have gained skills in effective communication, crisis intervention, and assessment techniques. I've also developed knowledge in social work theories, ethical practices, and social policies. Additionally, I've learned how to engage in advocacy, and collaborate with community resources to better assist those in need.

What aspects of the apprenticeship have been most rewarding or fulfilling for you, and why?
The skills I've gained in communication and crisis intervention are essential for my work in mental health. My understanding of social work theories and ethical practices supports my advocacy efforts and ability to assist individuals effectively.

What are your next steps once you complete the apprenticeship?
Hands-on experience and the ability to apply my skills in real-world situations. Working directly with individuals in need has strengthened my communication and crisis intervention abilities and allowed me to see my positive impact on their lives.

 

 

Why did you choose to sign onto this apprenticeship? 
I had noticed there was gap relating to digital technology and basic understanding of our data. As a division we knew that we were all working exceptionally hard, however we were not successfully evidencing the care that we were providing. We were spending a lot of time undertaking quick-fix corrective action, however investment in longer term sustainable solutions to resolve this gap were not available. When the apprenticeship became available, I knew it was the next logical step to take in my career. The apprenticeship provided the foundational building blocks to begin to resolve the identified data literacy gap and equip me with a skillset to upskill my immediate colleagues.

What specific skills or knowledge have you gained so far?
I have learnt a range of new Intermediate and Advanced Excel functionalities which have enabled me opportunity to enhance the work I undertake in my day-to-day role. This includes functionalities such as VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP. Other specific skills learnt whilst on the apprenticeship include automation, building of PowerBI dashboards and SQL. Not only do I have a new skill set, but I also have a wide range of new knowledge in how to communicate my business insights and drive organisational change. 

How well do you feel the apprenticeship is aligned with your career goals and aspirations?
I have always had an interest in data and how it can be used to benefit the services we provide for our service users. However, prior to the apprenticeship opportunities to learn new data skills and capitalise on these learnings was rather limited. Therefore, when the data academy became available it provided the perfect opportunity to begin building upon my career goals and aspirations. The apprenticeship is well aligned to my aspirations to work in a data related role and has allowed me to build the skillset required to take the next step in my career. 

What aspects of the apprenticeship have been most rewarding or fulfilling for you, and why?
The benefits have been immense – Through my apprenticeship learning I have been able to build significant confidence. It has been incredible to see this for myself, to see my confidence grow and to see the team's taking ownership and pride over their data. I have a voice, that is heard. The best bit about the apprenticeship is that I have been able to apply for direct learnings to my day-to-day role. I now have a portfolio of projects completed during my time on the apprenticeship which have had direct benefit to service delivery.

What are your next steps once you complete the apprenticeship?
Once I have completed my apprenticeship, I plan to keep working on my final project which is a training programme for the team managers on how to utilise PowerBI to understand their team performance. I will also be looking to progress to the next stage in my career and move into a data related role. I look forward to seeing what my future career path holds! 

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship and why this apprenticeship in particular?
I chose the apprenticeship route because it is debt-free, and I continue to be paid whilst learning. The programme is flexible with online lessons, allowing me to maintain a good work-life balance. As I am working and learning the apprenticeship allows me to transfer my theoretical knowledge gained from module materials straight into practice. 

What specific skills or knowledge have you gained so far?
The Enquiry-Based Learning approach used by The Open University, whereby, for example, students take the lead in chairing the tutorials, has increased my confidence in participating in team meetings, care planning meetings, tribunal hearings, and formulation meetings.  

How well do you feel the apprenticeship is aligned with your career goals and aspirations?
At this point, I feel that I will achieve my goal of becoming a registered mental health nurse. As I am a registered nursing associate, the Open University’s teaching methods have allowed me to think outside the box when dealing with difficult/stressful situations. I am also able to share my knowledge with other learners and apply knowledge in practice in an innovative way.

What aspects of the apprenticeship have been most rewarding or fulfilling for you, and why?
Being part of a diverse learning community
The Open University Enquiry-Based Learning approach

What are your next steps once you complete the apprenticeship? 
Consolidate my Band 5 position in acute inpatient mental health settings
Progress to Band 6 in either inpatient or community settings

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship and why this apprenticeship in particular?
I chose to do the apprenticeship because it allowed me to complete my occupational therapy degree to become a registered professional in the NHS whilst still working within my service at the time. This allowed me to remain financially independent and progress in my career and clinical skills without having to take a break for studies. I chose occupational therapy because it is very practical and helps identify what can support someone quality of life. 

What did you enjoy about the apprenticeship? 
I enjoyed being able to apply my learning into my workplace. I particularly enjoyed doing the QI project in my service as part of the final year as this helped me to apply my university learning directly to help with service improvement.

Have you been able to use the apprenticeship to support your career development?
Due to completing the apprenticeship, I already had strong clinical skills which have helped me to secure a band 5 to 6 development post in community mental health upon finishing the degree. 

What were some of the challenges you faced while completing the apprenticeship?  
At times time management was difficult. Balancing working 4 days a week and attending university once a week had its challenges meaning all studying had to be completed in the evenings and weekends, limiting my free time. I found that speaking with my supervisor about my workload and setting a weekly routine for studying helped me to manage these challenges.  

What is your next career goal now you have achieved you apprenticeship? 
I am completing my preceptorship within my new role as a band 5 and aiming on completing my competencies to develop into a band 6. 

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to your colleagues in the Trust? What advice would you give them? 
I would recommend the apprenticeship. I would say don’t underestimate how tired you will feel after the university day and try to manage your working days around it to allow time to readjust back into work. 

As a line manager to an apprentice, how important was it for you to support your staff’s own decision to enrol onto an apprenticeship? 
Supporting my staff’s decision to enrol onto an apprenticeship as a pharmacy technician was crucial in fostering their career development and progression. Apprenticeships provide a structured pathway for individuals to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and behaviours required for the role while also offering hands-on experience in a real-world setting. As a manager, my role was to ensure that apprentices felt empowered in their decision, providing guidance on how the programme aligned with their career aspirations and long-term professional growth.

How has the apprenticeship benefited your wider team / department?
As apprentices grow in their roles, they gain the knowledge and competencies needed to support clinical services, medicines management, and patient safety initiatives. Many go on to specialise in areas such as procurement, governance, or education and training, further strengthening the workforce. By investing in apprenticeships, we are future proofing the pharmacy team, ensuring a sustainable pipeline of well-trained professionals who can continue to support high-quality patient care across the NHS.

How have you managed the expectations and commitment required from the apprenticeship? E.g. ensuring your apprentice takes their protected study time. 
From the outset, I have set clear expectations regarding the apprenticeship structure, emphasising the importance of protected study time and ensuring both the apprentice and wider team understand its value. Regular one-to-one meetings have provided an opportunity to check progress, address any concerns, and reinforce the need for dedicated study periods. I have also worked closely with the apprentice’s training provider to align workplace responsibilities with their learning objectives, ensuring they gain practical experience that complements their studies.

How have you provided new exposure to learning to your apprentice to support their programme?  
In mental health, I have facilitated shadowing opportunities within inpatient and community teams, allowing apprentices to observe how medicines optimisation supports patient care in this specialised setting. I have encouraged involvement in multidisciplinary meetings and case discussions to deepen their understanding of psychiatric medicines, risk management, and the role of pharmacy in supporting adherence. Additionally, I have provided opportunities for them to engage with mental health pharmacists, learning about clozapine monitoring, rapid tranquilisation protocols, and the safe use of high-risk medications.
To reinforce their knowledge of pharmacy regulations, I have ensured they gain experience in areas such as medicines governance, controlled drugs management, and compliance with national and local policies. I have involved them in audits, incident reporting, and discussions on legal and ethical considerations, helping them understand the regulatory framework that underpins safe and effective practice.

Has the apprentice’s development had an influence on other members of the team who may also explore to do an apprenticeship to upskill themselves? 
The apprenticeship pathway has demonstrated a clear route for career progression, inspiring other staff members—both existing pharmacy assistants and pharmacy technicians—to consider further qualifications, whether through an apprenticeship, a higher-level diploma, or specialist mental health training. It has also fostered a culture of mentorship, where experienced colleagues take an active role in supporting apprentices, leading to increased engagement and knowledge-sharing across the team.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship and why this apprenticeship in particular?
I choose to do an apprenticeship course, because of the support from my employer, the course is funded, and I don’t need to resign my job to do the training.  Also, because I will be given protected time for the course and opportunity to get required practical experiences needed for the training. 

What did you enjoy about the apprenticeship? 
I enjoyed meeting with other colleagues from various professions and works of life, from public sector and private organisations, Local authorities, various department of NHS organisation, private healthcare, private and non-private educational institutions, construction firms and other establishments. 

Have you been able to use the apprenticeship to support your career development?
Yes, since I completed the course, I have moved from Band 7 to 8C, roles and I believe completing the Level 7 Senior Leaders MBA apprenticeship contributes significantly for these promotions.  My level of knowledge, skills and understanding following my training ensured that I was successfully appointed for each position.

What were some of the challenges you faced while completing the apprenticeship?  
Joggling full time job and education as well as family life can be very challenging, and struggling to get appropriate senior managers to mentor me and provide consistent opportunity to shadow and learn was also rather challenging. Plus having to do all these in the peak of covid was extremely challenging. 

What is your next career goal now you have achieved you apprenticeship? 
I don’t know yet.  I am very happy and contented in my current position and has not considered any further career goals.

Would you recommend an apprenticeship to your colleagues in the Trust? What advice would you give them? 
Yes, absolutely and I have been encouraging my colleagues to take advantage of it, is very much worth the effort. My advice will be for the individual to be determined to complete the course no matter what because a lot of things may want to derail you along the way and be sure to have adequate support both at home and at work before embarking on the course.