Skills Minister joins in apprentices' training session

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock took part in a training session with nursing assistant apprentices during a visit to St Thomas’ Hospital on Monday 3 March at the start of National Apprenticeship Week.

He played the role of a concerned father of an eight-week-old baby in a scenario that took place in the Simulation and Interactive Learning (SaIL) Centre which provides a safe environment in which staff can develop their skills.

The Minister also spent time chatting with apprentices Rose Mensah and Saira Connolly.

Rose was working as a housekeeper on Mountain Ward in Evelina London Children’s Hospital before starting the one-year paediatric apprenticeship programme in October 2013.

She says: “It is my dream to become a nurse but two years ago I applied to lots of places and they didn’t take me, and I nearly gave up. This apprenticeship has helped me to realise my dream.”

Rose now works with children who have neurological and metabolic conditions on Dragonfly Ward in Evelina London.

Saira Connolly, who also started the one-year paediatric apprenticeship programme last October, works in Children’s A&E at St Thomas’, says: “The apprenticeship has made me realise what I want to do and it’s given me the chance to get lots of practical experience. The opportunity it has given me has been amazing.”

Guy’s and St Thomas’ has a proven track record for providing apprenticeships and employment opportunities for local people.

Approximately 35 apprentices are currently working in the Trust in a range of clinical and non-clinical apprenticeships.