It’s National Apprenticeship Week and a chance to celebrate our own apprentices.

This year’s theme is ‘Skills for Life’, reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.

NRS Healthcare currently has around 15 apprentices studying a range of programmes including Occupational Therapy and Business Improvement, from Level 2 to 6.

In the past year those completing their apprenticeships include Saera Mushtaq, our Head of Organisational Learning and Development, who became the first employee within the company to achieve a Level 7 in Strategic Management and Sarah Scott, who achieved a Distinction (100%) in her Level 3 Team Leader qualification.

Sarah joined NRS Healthcare seven years ago as a Customer Service Advisor, based in Theale, Reading. In 2019 she was promoted to Team Leader and to help her in her role decided to undertake an apprenticeship, which she found was not only beneficial to support her in her job, but a positive way of connecting with colleagues from across the business.

She said:

“I hadn’t done any learning since leaving school, so it took a little adjusting to get back into it. I learned tools to help me manage a team and get the best out of those I work with. I also learned about the best ways to approach difficult situations, which has given me more confidence. I really enjoyed the apprenticeship and found it nice to connect with other people studying the same qualification throughout NRS. I completed the programme in August last year and remember being very nervous for the End Point Assessment. Presentations are not something I’ve ever been able to do without a lot of anxiety and I’ve also always struggled with this in group situations, but the apprenticeship really helped me. The more we did it, the more confident I was to join in group discussions, which in turn prepared me for the end point presentation.”

Those studying the Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship learn through face-to-face masterclasses, online content and coaching whilst at work. Study modules include people management, delivering results, developing relationships, decision making and self-management.

Sarah said:

“If I were to talk to anyone interested in this qualification, I’d say it does require your time and commitment as it is in addition to your workload. I would 100% recommend it though!”