As Lord Alan Sugar gets set to fire a third wannabe new-recruit in BBC1’s The Apprentice, the NHS in the South East is encouraging people to join their programme and become ‘an apprentice that matters’, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

With more than 2,600 apprenticeships starting in the region last year, it’s less a case of ‘you’re fired!’ and more a case of ‘you’re required!’, with a whole range of diverse and rewarding career paths available for people to make a real difference.

The South East’s Director of Workforce and Training, Louise Hall said: “Our Apprenticeships offer a viable route into many of the 350 NHS careers available. There are a range of opportunities at different levels, meaning no matter your current situation, there’s a place for you.

“You could kickstart your career as a healthcare support worker, or explore one of our fantastic careers in administration, estates or digital.

“It is an apprenticeship with a difference, and that makes a difference.”

Apprenticeships are a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning, meaning you can earn while you learn. Apprentices usually spend four days on a work placement and one day at a training centre or college. They can take between one and five years to complete and many NHS apprentices are also offered a permanent job at the end of their learning.

Jason Robinson recently qualified as a Learning Disability Nurse through the scheme and works for Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. He said: “An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to study for a qualification while still working.

“Becoming a Learning Disability Nurse fulfilled a dream role I thought I never could achieve, and the apprenticeship allowed this to happen.  As a mature student an apprenticeship was the only way I would be able to study something to further my skills and knowledge, and still work at the same time. My role is full of variety which I love, no day is the same, and I get to work with some incredible people whether that is other healthcare professionals or patients.”

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is the biggest week in the apprenticeships and skills calendar. It takes place from 10 to 16 February 2025. The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships and skills to celebrate the value, benefit, and opportunity that they bring.

If you think the NHS could be the career for you, search ‘NHS careers’ to find out more about the range of roles within the NHS and how to apply.