Worcester supported apprenticeship graduates celebrate career success

THE FIRST graduates of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s supported apprenticeship program are celebrating success after securing permanent employment.

Their achievements follow the trust joining forces with Regency High School in Worcester and employer champion, DFN Project SEARCH, in a ground-breaking partnership that enables young people with learning disabilities to gain valuable work experience in a hospital environment.

Their success was celebrated with a graduation ceremony at Worcestershire Royal Infirmary, attended by graduates, their families, representatives of supporting partners and the teams they worked with.

Michaela Goodger started her journey in a catering office, performing various administrative tasks. Eager to explore different roles, she became a housekeeping assistant at ISS, the trust’s contracted service provider.

Michaela Goodger from Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Her exceptional performance, including achieving a five-star audit while working independently, earned her a permanent position in the housekeeping department at both ISS and the trust.

Josh Hines found his calling in the pathology department. Beginning with specimen collection, Josh’s meticulous attention to detail and strong work ethic quickly made him an integral part of the team. His journey culminated in a successful interview for a medical laboratory assistant position, where he continues to excel.

Josh Hines at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the pathology department.

Ethan Kenny’s path took him from catering to a clinical role in endoscopy, where he discovered his passion for the healthcare environment. His hard work and enthusiasm resulted in his dream job as a porter at the faculty.

Ethan Kenny at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in the endoscopy unit.

Libby Marshall, Apprenticeship and Widening Participation Lead, said: “The extraordinary resilience, determination and personal development shown by each graduate shows that with the right support, everyone has the potential to succeed.

“Their success underscores the importance of collaborative efforts to create inclusive employment opportunities. Feedback from their Apprenticeship Managers was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the significant contribution and positive impact graduates have made within their teams.

“The atmosphere at the graduation ceremony was filled with pride and joy as everyone gathered to celebrate the incredible journey and achievements of the graduates.”

The next group of supported trainees will start working at WAHT in October 2024.