Kevin currently works in Pharmacy Preparative Services as a Trainee Pharmacy Technician.
What appealed to him about completing an apprenticeship was that he could earn money whilst he studied. He felt it was an advantage to be able to apply what he learnt in the work environment and to see how what he was learning integrated into the larger environment.
Why do you think that CUH are a good employer for apprenticeships?
CUH is a people orientated employer. There are a wide variety of roles within CUH which means that there are many opportunities for study and career progression through apprenticeships.
What does a typical day look like and what do you enjoy about your role?
My daily role depends on the amount and type of orders and prescriptions received from the hospital dietitians. The morning may include cleaning sterile rooms in advance of expected work, printing and checking the orders and prescriptions for errors and there may be stock management requirements such as ordering or talking to suppliers. I also check the assembled patient production trays for accuracy.
The afternoons could entail compounding nutrition or trial medications in the cleanrooms. In my role I also assist with the required training for new colleagues so that they can achieve their accreditations, both within the sterile rooms and without, in the various disciplines. Training can occur at any time of the workday.
What sorts of things do you do for the off the job learning aspect of your apprenticeship and does this involve attending college or is it all completed at work?
Because some of my apprenticeship occurred during the COVID pandemic, a lot of the off the job learning was completed remotely. This consisted of research that would be integrated into assignments.
How have your department supported you within this apprenticeship?
I was supported in both having pre-planned time made available for studying during the work day and knowledge support from an assortment of departments.
What are your future intentions?
I would like to expand my role in training colleagues.
What advice would you give to others who may be looking to take on an apprenticeship?
I would say that you should do what interests you, life is too short and you spend so many hours in a workplace so do an apprenticeship in a field that interests you.
The main theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is skills for life. What are the most important skills for life that you have developed and how has your apprenticeship training helped to build them?
The ability to communicate is to me the most important skill I have learnt, and the interaction with colleagues has allowed me to develop a professional network that supports me in the work that I do.