It’s National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024, an annual celebration of apprenticeships to focus on the value, benefit, and opportunity that apprenticeships bring, this year’s theme being ‘Skills for Life’.
We wanted to share Annis Sculthorpe’s story, an Apprentice in Business Administration within DHU Healthcare’s Primary Care service.
Before joining DHU and starting her apprenticeship, Annis served as a senior care assistant at a nursing home. Describing the move, Annis told us, "This apprenticeship came up when I wanted a change of direction to delve into the business side whilst maintaining a connection to healthcare."
Annis has been part of our apprenticeship programme for eight months and has been finding her feet as she continues her work at Thurmaston Health Centre whilst learning. "It's definitely stressful and challenging, don't get me wrong, but I'm enjoying it. It's a way to find out more about what DHU is doing and explore each area of the business."
Discussing her learning experience, Annis has been exploring the diverse aspects of DHU covered during the apprenticeship. "There's the business side, understanding regulations, and researching what DHU does as a whole. It's not just about primary care; it's about the business, creating strategies, and more," Annis explains.
What sets Annis's apprenticeship journey apart is the unwavering support she receives from her colleagues. Acknowledging the challenges, Annis mentions the intensity of the day courses. "Day courses can be anything from 9 to 3 hours, really intense," she adds. However, the collaborative spirit within the team has been invaluable. "Everyone is always happy to help, whether it's advice with coursework or setting up shadowing in different departments.”
As Annis navigates her apprenticeship, her future aspirations involve staying in healthcare, adding: "I've considered clinical roles like HCA and nursing, but I also enjoy aspects related to safeguarding. It's about finding something that involves all of that."
Annis especially appreciates the unpredictability of her role, stating, "I enjoy not knowing how the day's going to go; some days are calm, some are very busy. It keeps things interesting."
This National Apprenticeship Week, Annis's story highlights the theme "Skills for Life" as she continues her journey in healthcare administration.
You can read more about our Apprentice Programme in general by clicking here.