Kristy is currently working in the Imaging CT Department at CUH as a CT Booking Administrator.
When she was finishing secondary school, she was worried about finding a suitable job that she would enjoy as she wasn’t very interested in the subjects that she could have done in college.
She decided to look at apprenticeships and says that this has opened many doors and opportunities for her and her future. Since starting her apprenticeship, Kristy has been promoted into a permanent Band 3 administrator position and is happy because she doesn’t have to worry about finding a job once she completes her apprenticeship.
Why do you think that CUH are a good employer for apprenticeships?
CUH has various different opportunities that can help and support people like me to head onto the right career path, and experience different job roles and responsibilities that can help you decide what suits you best.
What does a typical day look like and what do you enjoy about your role?
I start the day off by checking my emails then moving onto booking patients for an appointment depending on the urgency, answering the phone, assisting patients and other colleagues in need and checking in patients. I enjoy my role as there’s always lots to do.
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?
I have one study day a week which I complete from home. My college assessor sends the work I need to do with a deadline, which I can access through the college on-line portal. I have regular meetings with my assessor to go over what I need to do and I am able to contact her if I need any help or guidance with anything.
How have your department supported you within this apprenticeship?
My department has supported me throughout my apprenticeship by always being patient, understanding and comforting towards me, especially in times when I have struggled. I am not afraid to ask for help anytime as my colleagues have always gone above and beyond to support me as much as they can.
What are your future intentions?
I would recommend this to anyone no matter what age you are as this is a perfect start to bigger and better opportunities to develop your career and future.
If something doesn’t work out for you, there are many alternative solutions such which might suit you better. Everyone is very supportive and always open to give and receive feedback and advice.
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?
This apprenticeship has helped me overcome many of the fears I had when I first started. I have developed my communication, leadership, organisational skills and many more which have made me become a very confident person inside and outside of work.
I have achieved all this through dealing with different challenging situations at work which have helped me to grow as a person.