It’s National Apprenticeship Week and we’re diving into how DHU value apprentices and apprenticeships as a way of improving services and career development.
Today we’re talking to Hasan Alam who joined DHU at the end of 2022 and is currently working in our Head Office in Derby as a finance apprentice. Read on to learn more about Hasan and what led him in the direction of wanting to study an apprenticeship through DHU Healthcare.
Speaking a little bit about his background and how he ended up doing an apprenticeship in finance, Hasan told us: “I finished my GCSE’s last year and wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do for further education. At school I was interested in maths and business and have family members who work in the financial sector. Finance seemed a good fit or me, but I didn't feel like college was right and I wanted to get some real-world experience. That's when I found the Level 2 accounting apprenticeship with EMA training.”
“I went to an open evening and talked through the options with one of the tutors about the types of apprenticeships they offer. There were plenty of opportunities available and DHU stood out as a one of the companies which I thought sounded interesting. Since joining I’ve found DHU to be a really supportive environment and the team in finance all do their best to care for each other. If I need advice or have any questions my manager is always there to help.”
“I think one of the biggest advantages of apprenticeships is that they provide on-the-job training and experience. You're not just learning theory in a classroom, you're actually applying it in a real-world setting. Every day I get to experience different areas of finance, like for example sales and purchase ledger, and this is providing me with a broad range of skills which I would not have been able to receive in higher education. I want to carry on learning and after completing my apprenticeship and would like to study to be a chartered accountant.
“My advice for someone who is considering an apprenticeship as an alternative to further education would be to research different apprenticeship programs and talk to people who have gone through the process. It's also important to think about what type of career you want to pursue and whether an apprenticeship program aligns with those goals. And most importantly, it's crucial to find an apprenticeship program that offers a good balance of training and on-the-job experience.”
To find apprentice opportunities near you, visit the national site here or visit the DHU careers page here for more opportunities.
You can find out more about some of the apprentices and apprenticeships we currently have at DHU through a series of articles that we have outlined below. Each one will take you to a colleague who is currently an apprentice, undertaking an apprenticeship or has been an apprentice and secured full time employment with us.