Apprenticeships – dispelling the myths
Positivity, high levels of motivation, fresh ideas, and a thirst for learning are just a handful of reasons why taking on an apprentice can breathe new life into your primary healthcare setting.
PMA, an Ofsted-rated ‘Good’ apprenticeship training provider, is passionate about supporting individual development by its highly contextualised Apprenticeship Standards. It has successfully placed hundreds of apprentices into healthcare settings right across the country and this continues to be a key priority for the business.
There aren’t many in the healthcare industry that would disagree with the statement that people are our biggest asset. And, as the health sector naturally grows bigger and people leave or retire, taking on apprentices is one of the best investments you can make – especially with the pressures on staff retention post-pandemic and the negative effects of Brexit.
PMA Apprenticeships are an ideal way to enhance skills and knowledge to further your own career or develop your team. They are a great way of recruiting, developing and – importantly – retaining new and established teams.
We are also keen to dispel the myth that apprenticeships are just for young or lower-skilled people. Practices no longer have a limit on the number of apprentices they can have at any given time. They are of all ages too – with a mix of new apprentices and existing team members.
The misconception that apprenticeships are for school-leavers, or those at the bottom of the ladder, is a common one but most apprenticeships are for people who are already employed – and they can lead all the way up to management and senior levels.
Because we work closely with NHS England, RCGP and many other NHS organisations, we know our apprenticeships are highly relevant to NHS practices. The PMA works with practice teams to select the most appropriate apprenticeship for them, then assists with the recruitment process and offers full support for the duration of the apprenticeship itself.
Another myth is that apprentices don’t earn much money but, in the long term, the potential to earn is huge – particularly as you’re learning on the job. We have also seen that apprentices are much more likely to get promoted too – dispelling yet another myth about a lack of career progression.
We can walk into any practice and recognise immediately if there is a positive culture of learning and development. This is about meeting national standards and making your practice a great place to work, but it’s also about unlocking potential – which many people don’t realise they have in them.
For more details, visit https://pma-uk.org/pma-apprenticeships/