It’s National Apprenticeship Week and we’re continuing our look at how DHU value apprentices and apprenticeships as a way of improving services and career development.
Cerys has been with DHU for just over three years and is currently working in Derby for NHS111 as a HR administrator. Read on to learn more about Cerys and what led her in the direction of wanting to study an apprenticeship through DHU Healthcare.
“I never really knew what I wanted to do when I left school, so decided to go to Sixth form where I studied Psychology, Geography and Photography. I knew early on that I definitely did not want to go to university so this was never an option for me. I have always been a practical person and learn by doing, so the thought of university never appealed to me. You could say that I followed in the footsteps of my sister, after seeing her successfully take on an apprenticeship, that’s when I knew this would also be the best option for me.
“I was advised to look into an apprenticeship in Business – I found out soon after that this was something DHU could offer before I was offered a confirmed place after my interview. However, I had already planned to go traveling; as I felt I needed to explore my options and gain some further experience. In May 2019 I took four weeks of annual leave, travelling to Madagascar where I volunteered at a conservation charity doing turtle surveying which is something I’ll never forget!”
Those experiences helped to prepare Cerys for the many tasks she carried out within her new role. She was only 19 when she took on her apprenticeship but is now responsible for data inputting, recording sickness absence data, agency compliance checks, leaver’s reports on a monthly basis and the general day to day HR enquiries. She has developed significantly in her role and found a new level of confidence.
“I completed my Level 3 qualification in December 2019 and since then have gone on to complete my level 4 qualification at the beginning of 2021. I have gained more responsibility and found I have become much more confident in my approach. I am now a full time HR administrator for 111, and have been doing this role since 1st May 2021. Currently there are 255 candidates in pre-employment checks for 111; I am responsible for 90 of them.
“My proudest moment to date with DHU, was when I won the East Midlands Chamber Awards for apprentice of the year in 2020. I had no idea I had been put forward for this, so was in complete shock when told I had been shortlisted! This was such a fantastic achievement and a very proud moment overall for the HR and management team of DHU111.
“I’m now working towards gaining a qualification in a Level 5 CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management and hope to complete it by June 2022. I want to continue learning and developing with DHU as a full time HR Advisor in 111 and see just how far I can go.”
Michelle Gerrard is Deputy Director of People at DHU, she added: “From the start Cerys has shown an innate sense of discretion and professionalism, growing in confidence to become more familiar with the work and the demanding 111 work environment. She manages the pressures of her work with good humour, maturity, dedication and commitment.
“She is now responsible for clinical recruitment and I’m certain that the way she welcomes and talks to new starters has led to more people joining and staying with our clinical team during what has been a challenging recruitment environment. I couldn’t have been more pleased and proud to offer her the job HR Administrator job in May 2021; it has been a pleasure to see Cerys continue to grow and develop here and I am sure she will excel in her HR career in the future.”
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.