Alice Crumbie is an administration officer at Ferndene. She shares her career story from apprentice to employee.  

“I started working at Ferndene in October 2023 as a Customer Service Practitioner (Level 2) apprentice when I was 18 years old. I finished the apprenticeship with a Distinction grade and got a permanent role as an administration assistant.  

“I started a Business Administrator (Level 3) apprenticeship last year. I’m due to finish next month and have my End Point Assessment coming up.  

“I have recently started a new job as an administration officer for the wards at Ferndene. My day-to-day job involves attending meetings, taking minutes, ordering things for the ward, setting up meetings, assisting ward managers and communicating with patients and their families.  

“I have done both of my apprenticeships whilst working at Ferndene which has allowed me to gain lots of experience.  

“During my time completing my Customer Service apprenticeship I was working on reception. I was the first point of contact for anyone coming into the hospital, which helped me grow in confidence massively. I was scared to answer the phones when I started but I was able to build up those skills with the support of my colleagues. A typical day would involve handing out equipment to nursing staff, answering queries, booking rooms and vehicles, signing out keys, and much more.  

“What I’ve enjoyed most about apprenticeships is being able to learn while working in the role. I gained practical experience and was able to develop my skills while also having the support of my colleagues. It has helped me become more confident in my abilities and given me the opportunity to take on more responsibility. Completing the apprenticeship has helped me progress within the organisation and has given me a good foundation for my future career.  

“My advice for anyone considering an apprenticeship is to go for it! It’s a great way to gain qualifications while also getting real experience in the workplace and getting paid. I think this offers great structure and allows you to continue to learn and grow on the job. 

“I hope to still be working for the NHS in the future. I’m enjoying my admin work however, there are so many different routes to go down so I’m open to exploring different opportunities and seeing where my career takes me.” 

David Burnett, Apprenticeship and Career Developments Officer at CNTW Academy, said: 
“Alice has fully embraced her apprenticeship programmes and demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout. Her achievements highlight the valuable development opportunities apprenticeships provide and the significant contribution apprentices make to our organisation. 

“We are delighted with Alice’s continued success and look forward to seeing what she achieves in the future. Apprenticeships are undertaken across the Trust in a wide range of roles, helping colleagues to develop their skills and progress their careers.”  

Administration Manager Lynne Sams said: “Alice has worked hard to get where she is now. She has absorbed her learning and has been able to progress and gain further promotion.” 

To enquire about apprenticeships, please email  Getin2CNTW@cntw.nhs.uk.