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Aintree University Hospital TrustAintree University Hospital Trust has been involved in a Unison lead apprenticeship project at the Trust, funded by unionlearn's ULF regional Learning and Skills for all Fund (LaSFAF) since 2008. The project is well regarded by the Trust's Learning and Development department, which works closely alongside unionlearn and Unison to ensure the success of the project, which has currently helped more than 250 employees at the Trust into apprenticeships. The apprenticeships are funded by the Skills Academy for Health and form part of a government initiative to increase levels of numeracy and literacy within the workforce. Aintree NHS Trust has 4,000 employees from several unions on site in North Liverpool. When nearby Walton Hospital closed and the staff from that hospital were transferred to the Aintree site and encouraged to sign-up to apprenticeship qualifications in a number of areas including customer service, business administration and catering and hospitality.
(L-R) Sue Garner, Domestic Supervisor and Lead ULR, Marie Reece Susan Garner recently completed Apprenticeships* in Domestic Team Leading at Level 2, with West Cheshire College. The Trust gave Susan time off work to complete the course and they covered all associated costs and she was also supported by her ULR, Marie Reece. Being a mature student meant that Susan had some apprehension about 'going back to school' as she put it but her anxieties were put to rest by the support she received from her course tutors and the informal method of teaching was ideal for Susan. Now Susan has much more responsibility and supervises 44 domestic cleaners at the Trust. She works closely with patients and medical staff to ensure she is able to carry out her duties to a high standard. Susan has since enrolled on an ITQ* course and is hoping to do a further Apprenticeship course in customer service. Marie Reece Lead ULR, Marie Reece said: 'As a ULR I work with the corporate Learning and Development team to help engage and recruit learners such as Sue. I support them as they undertake their courses, liaise with their tutors and speak to managers if the course they are on causes difficulties in the workplace with staff cover or any other similar challenges. All the learners have been out of the classroom for decades, and not surprisingly feel worried about going back - but they all eventually blossom and achieve!' Fiona Chapman, Head of Learning and Development at the Trust said: 'We confirm that the Trust has been working with unionlearn on apprenticeships. We have almost 250 apprenticeships going through frameworks in healthcare, ITQ, business and administration, hospitality and catering, customer service, clinical healthcare support and team leading since 2009. Unionlearn and the ULRs have been critical in helping to recruit apprentices and also in providing support and mentoring so that apprentices can complete their training successfully. We recently held a successful event where local MP Stephen Twigg presented our apprentices with certificates to mark their achievements and our partners in unionlearn, Unison and West Cheshire College were also in attendance. Unionlearn and ULRs are currently working with the Trust to plan further cohorts of apprenticeships.' Liverpool MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Education Stephen Twigg said: 'It is great to see so many people furthering their education and developing their skills. The knock-on effect of this is that patients receive an improved service, so I hope other hospitals will follow Aintree's lead.' Case studies and projects (600 words) issued 2 Nov 2011  Skills for the Future Fund - South West region Promoting Learning in Cheshire West & Chester Usdaw Checkout Learning – Sustainability case study |
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