“I didn’t even know the NHS offered apprenticeships” – Sophie’s story, Apprenticeships Week 2020

Sophie Dobson was an apprentice in the Informatics Department at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust, and is now a full-time staff member there. She told us how and why she became an apprentice, and where it’s taken her…

I started my apprenticeship in November 2018 after leaving college. When I first saw them advertised, I didn’t even know the NHS offered apprenticeships. However, I love helping people as best I can, and the idea of being part of something that has touched everyone’s lives really appealed to me. So I thought, there’s no harm in applying and seeing what happens.

I am so glad I did, and would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone. It has been very flexible and helped me to achieve my goals. The support you receive from CNTW Academy and the staff in your department is amazing. Being able to ‘learn while you earn’ also really helped me to transition from full-time study into the workplace.

Personally, the best thing for me about being an IT apprentice with CNTW has been helping NHS staff to carry out their own roles. As apprentices we also bring new ideas into the workplace that can improve the way work is carried out, by seeing the role with fresh eyes and a different perspective.

Just a few months ago, as my apprenticeship was coming to an end, two vacancies became available in the department. I applied for both, and was successful! I now have a permanent post in the Service Desk Office. I’m also on secondment as a Service Desk Co-ordinator, and I’m looking forward to developing my career within CNTW.