The awards celebrate both the achievements of apprentices who work in a variety of sectors across the whole of Cornwall, as well as the employers who go the extra mile in terms of the provision and the support they provide.
This year, Holly Day and Neil Caddy from Pirate FM presented the awards with support from Cornwall-wide business sponsors, recognising and rewarding the exceptional achievement of the 46 shortlisted learners and employers involved in Apprenticeship training.
Speaking about the success of the RCHT, Nikki Pryke, Apprenticeship Lead for the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, explains: “It’s a fantastic result for our hospitals, and our apprentices. To be named as Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year was a fantastic achievement and really speaks very highly of our commitment and dedication across all services to supporting apprenticeships, and to creating new and sustainable career pathways for the next generation of colleagues working across all areas of our hospitals.”
Nikki continues: “In the last 2 years, the RCHT has funded 90 apprenticeships for our colleagues from care, primary care and the charity sector. All made possible by using the Apprenticeship Levy transfer scheme.”
As well as being named Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals also won an award in the new Health, Care and Public Services Apprentice of the Year category, which went to RCHT’s Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice Alison Richardson.
Alison explains: “Prior to starting the RND apprenticeship, I previously completed the Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship with the RCHT. Both apprenticeships were a great benefit and have provided me a wealth of learning and experiences that have really benefited me in my current career.”
“Alison’s success, and the success of others like her, really highlights how the RCHT is growing our own workforce using apprenticeships,” Nikki continues. “The Covid pandemic has had such a huge impact on our hospitals, our communities, and how each of us has had to adapt to provide the best possible care and support. Like all our apprentices, Alison has gone above and beyond to adjust to new ways of working and has succeeded under unprecedented circumstances. We couldn’t be more proud of her.”
The Royal Cornwall Hospitals also received a highly commended in the Management Category for Administration Apprentice Caitlyn Thewlis.
