WORCESTERSHIRE Health and Care NHS Trust has been recognised for the commitment it makes to employing and encouraging apprentices within the organisation.

The trust, the county's main provider of mental health and community services, won the medium apprentice employer of the year accolade at an awards ceremony, organised by Health Education England.

The trust provides a range of apprenticeship opportunities, the entry level scheme providing a crucial springboard for young people to start a career in the NHS and the higher level apprenticeships providing a great opportunity for existing staff to maximise their potential.

Since the scheme started in 2009 more than 450 new and existing staff have started apprenticeships with 83 per cent of all completers continuing in employment with the NHS, once their programme has finished.

Jane McClements, associate director of workforce at the trust, said: “We were thrilled to be awarded with the Health Education England working across the West Midlands Apprenticeship Medium Employer of the Year 2017. It is recognition of the hard work put in by our team members, managers and staff to really embrace and celebrate apprenticeships across our trust. We have lots of plans in the next 12 months to build on this success and are excited about the diverse opportunities this will provide our current team members and people in our local community looking to start their career with us.”

For more details visit hacw.nhs.uk/work-for-us/apprenticeship-scheme.