National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Monday - Skills for Life

Skills for Life: It all starts with skills

Whether you’re growing your business, changing your career or just starting out, it all starts with skills.

The Department for Education’s campaign invites young people, adults and businesses to make the most of their potential by engaging in a range of government skills and technical education offers.

‘It all starts with skills’ aims to motivate people to explore their options, make informed choices, and gain the skills and qualifications they need to progress.

Inspiring action, the campaign promotes a range of priority skills programmes, such as:

• Apprenticeships
• T-Levels
• Essential skills (English, maths and digital)
• Support and advice from the National Careers Service

To find out more about Skills for Life, please visit: https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/skills-for-life

Hard and Soft skills

Apprenticeships combine practical training with theoretical knowledge, requiring a blend of ‘hard and soft skills’ for success.

What are the differences between soft skills and hard skills?

Hard skills are teachable learned through education and training, such as technical proficiency and medical skills.

Soft skills are personal attributes that affect how individuals interact and adapt, including communication, teamwork and problem-solving.

The main difference is soft skills are all about you as a person and hard skills are role/industry focused.

Why are they important?

Hard skills ensure apprentices are technically competent and meet industry standards, forming the foundation of their careers. Soft skills enhance interpersonal interactions, adaptability, and collaboration, which are crucial for a positive work environment.

Hard skills and soft skills are essential for apprentices. Their combination prepares apprentices for successful careers, equipping them to meet modern workforce demands. In the graphic below we have included examples of the different skills and current examples from our apprentices.

Tuesday - Employer Tuesday

As the largest employer in North Derbyshire, the Trust is committed to actively contribute to employment in the area. 

Our award-winning Learning and Development Team help to support training and career pathways across the Trust.

Staying up to date with training and supporting colleagues to progress within their roles helps us to continue to provide exceptional care for our patients.

They also support apprenticeships and work experience - both for our colleagues and external candidates.

Meet Neil

Neil is the Digital Learning Manager at our Trust and acted as a Line Manager to one of our apprentices:

“As the Digital Learning Manager, I seek apprentices who show genuine interest, enthusiasm, adaptability, and good communication skills. These qualities are essential for working with both clinical and non-clinical staff. I believe that while having all the necessary skills isn't crucial, the apprenticeship journey is an opportunity to develop these traits.

“To support apprentices, I provide a structured development plan, regular training sessions, and opportunities to shadow different departments. They have protected learning time and access to online resources and mentors. I give constructive feedback through frequent one-to-one meetings, using the "sandwich" approach to balance positive observations with areas for improvement.

“Integrating apprentices into the team and company culture is a priority. From day one, they are included in team meetings, assigned a mentor, and involved in cross-departmental projects. I ensure they participate in both formal and informal team activities and assign meaningful projects that contribute to our team’s goals. I address challenges like adjusting to the professional environment and balancing learning commitments through coaching and clear guidance.”

Wednesday - Apprentice Wednesday

What is an apprentice?

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable experiences.

Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours completing classroom-based learning with a college, university or training provider which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. 

How can I become an apprentice at CRH?

Case Studies

Meet Milly

Milly is a HR & OD Administrator in the Central HR Team and supports the Health and Wellbeing Team. Her career at the Trust started with one of our apprenticeships:

“I chose an apprenticeship in HR to gain hands-on experience, develop specific skills, and earn a salary while avoiding student debt. My typical day includes checking emails, addressing urgent enquiries, and handling administrative tasks such as processing long service applications and supporting various HR teams. I've gained valuable communication, adaptability, time management, and technical skills throughout my apprenticeship.

“Professionally, I've acquired knowledge in HR and organisational development, and personally, my confidence and self-awareness has grown. Balancing my workload and studies was challenging, but I overcame it with strong organisational skills and support from my line manager.

“My apprenticeship has clarified my career goals and set me on a path to achieve them. After completing my apprenticeship, I secured a permanent role in HR & OD and gained my CIPD Level 3 qualification in HR. My experience shows the value of apprenticeships in providing practical skills, professional growth, and career advancement. I'm excited about my future career in HR and the opportunities it holds.”

Meet Kathy

Kathy is a Maternity Assistant here at CRH – who has undertaken many courses to continue her professional development, including a level 3 apprenticeship:

“My day starts with a ward handover to understand the needs of the patients, including any safeguarding concerns. On the postnatal ward, I update baby feeding charts, ensure bed sheets are clean, and take lunch orders. Throughout my shift, I answer call buzzers, provide feeding support, take maternal observations, demonstrate baby care, and prepare powdered formula feeds. I also clean and decontaminate bed spaces, restock rooms, assist colleagues, take bloods, remove catheters and cannulas, and care for post-operative women.

“The most rewarding part of my role is helping first-time parents and exhausted mothers, seeing their relief and gratitude. However, it can be challenging when the ward is busy and short-staffed, limiting the time I can spend with each patient.

“I started at Chesterfield Royal as a Bounty Lady and quickly joined as a Maternity Assistant. Over the past 12 years, I have completed my Care Certificate, become a Care Certificate Supervisor, earned a Level 3 Diploma in Health Care, and am now upskilling to become a Maternity Support Worker. I am proud of my achievements, especially completing my Level 3 at age 55, and grateful for the support from my colleagues and management.

“I advise those interested in the role to embrace its varied and rewarding nature, while understanding it involves much more than just cuddling babies.”

Meet Lauren

Lauren is our Practice Development Admin Assistant who undertook a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Lauren's proactive approach and reliability have earned her consistent praise from colleagues and supervisors. Her positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile make her an essential team member.

Her nomination for an ‘Apprenticeship Award’ also highlights her exceptional performance and commitment in her NHS role. From the start, she has demonstrated dedication, consistently exceeding expectations with her meticulous attention to detail and strong work ethic. Her ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently has been invaluable to her team.

Beyond her professional duties, Lauren supports school visits, engaging with students about NHS opportunities.

Lauren completed her apprenticeship just last week – and has secured a full-time position at the Trust following this. Congratulations Lauren!

Meet Marge

Marge has been in her role for around 15 years and decided to progress her skills by completing a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship.

Despite English not being her first language and initial worries about managing, Marge is doing wonderfully. She consistently produces fabulous work - going above and beyond to ensure her work meets high standards.

Her efforts were highlighted when she was also nominated for an Apprenticeship Award!

Meet Ami

Ami is our Breast Failsafe Officer at the Trust and is currently undertaking an Improvement Leader Apprenticeship:

“I chose an apprenticeship because it allows me to gain valuable knowledge and experience that I can directly apply to my role, making the training more relevant and impactful. I was particularly drawn to this apprenticeships because it aligns with my passion for enhancing patient care and streamlining healthcare processes.

“My typical day involves a variety of tasks, including administrative responsibilities, providing patient support, participating in meetings, and working on apprenticeship tasks such as analysing workflows and implementing improvements.

“Through my apprenticeship, I have developed skills in project management, data analysis, and problem-solving. I can evaluate patient pathways and identify inefficiencies, which empowers me to implement effective changes. Professionally and personally, I have grown more confident in sharing ideas and tackling challenges. I now feel assured in my skills and am inspired to embrace new responsibilities, recognizing that my contributions can make a meaningful impact on patient care.

“Balancing my full-time job with apprenticeship coursework and projects was initially challenging, but I improved my time-management skills by setting clear priorities.

Meet Chris

Chris is an Operating Department Practitioner here at CRH, who is currently undertaking a degree apprenticeship:

“I began my journey at Chesterfield Royal Hospital in 2015 as a patient services assistant and transitioned to a theatre support worker in 2016. In September 2022, I took a significant step by joining the degree apprenticeship programme to train as an Operating Department Practitioner, with an expected qualification date of September 2025.

“This apprenticeship has allowed me to balance my career aspirations with my responsibilities as a parent, providing financial stability and avoiding student debt. The programme has been an invaluable opportunity for me to advance my career within the NHS without compromising my family's financial security.

“The apprenticeship has been a transformative experience, offering me the chance to work alongside a dedicated team of multidisciplinary professionals. My training has been focused on obstetrics and gynaecology, with an anaesthetic placement within the speciality.

“Each day, I perform critical tasks such as checking anaesthetic machines, preparing the operating table, and assisting with patient care during surgeries. These responsibilities have honed my practical skills and deepened my understanding of the perioperative environment, ensuring patient safety and effective teamwork.

“Balancing studies, work, and personal life has been challenging. However, support from professional development and management teams has been crucial. The apprenticeship has fostered my growth, improved my critical thinking, and positively influenced future prospects.

“Looking ahead, I plan to continue working for the Trust post-qualification, with aspirations to further broaden my practice and pursue additional academic achievements.”

Friday - Celebration Friday