CTR places new Apprentices at Kent & Canterbury Hospital

The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust is enjoying the added value that Apprentices bring.

Over the last year Canterbury Training & Recruitment (CTR) have placed seven new Apprentices with the Trust working closely with the Trusts HR and Estates Teams. The Apprentices are working with experienced staff on hospital grounds and by attending College and building up additional skills on the job they will become qualified Electricians and Plumbers.

As one of the largest employers in East Kent, the Trust is now outsourcing some of its recruitment needs to the College’s free jobs brokerage service.

The Apprentices are paid by the Trust and attend College either once a week or once a month for up to four years depending on their previous experience and qualifications.

Plumbing Apprentice Matthew Davies, 19, said: “Completing my Apprenticeship has benefited me in so many ways; it has given me the opportunity to become a confident fully qualified plumber by learning from those already qualified while undertaking a full time job. Working for such a large organisation as the NHS has opened up a world of opportunities.”

CTR and the National Apprenticeship Scheme have been particularly successful for the Estates Department. The Trust’s team had not had the opportunity to recruit any Apprentices for over 10 years and were very keen to ensure it did not lose key skills and experience if existing staff decided to retire.

“Working with CTR has enabled us to give something back to the local community by training people for a career in the NHS. Without the help of Canterbury College we would have had to spend hundreds of pounds on recruitment adverts and spend time screening all the candidates. Using CTR ensured a smooth recruitment process, saving time and money. We are really pleased to have been able to offer this training opportunity and hope that once qualified the Apprentices will remain with the Trust for many years to come.” Claire Berry, HR Business Partner East Kent NHS

The East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust Estates Department is offering more Apprenticeship posts in 2010. For more information call 01227 811163 or visit: www.ctr-kent.co.uk