Aintree's solution has been recognised through the receipt of several national awards including the recent accolade of ‘National Apprenticeship Service, Top 100 Apprentice Employer’; the only hospital to receive this status.
What was our solution? Aintree’s innovative approach involves growing the workforce via progression routes and career pathways so retaining quality staff. The result is a more stable substantive workforce with reduced reliance on temporary staff, overtime and outsourcing. This in turn results in improved continuity and better patient care. With no accredited training available to staff in Bands 1-4, there were few development opportunities. In line with a national drive to introduce apprenticeships, Aintree saw the programmes as an ideal tool to provide some much needed development to these staff.
We have approximately 2500 staff in Band 1-4 roles; engaging this staff group was a monumental task but by bringing our Unison branch on board and in turn, their Union Learning Representatives (ULRs) our approach to this task became more cohesive. ULRs were instrumental in gaining access to under-represented staff groups in traditionally hard to penetrate departments and the Staff-Side Lead engaged managers at a more senior level, this fusion working between organisations enabled universal engagement the targeted staff group. Providing much needed development to our Band 1-4 staff would help us develop the talent of our junior staff. Additional pastoral support is provided by a small dedicated team and employment issues support provided by our partners Unison to ensure our junior staff succeed in becoming Aintree’s future talent.
The outcome Since introducing apprenticeships we have experienced tangible benefits;
- Almost 700 staff have started apprenticeships and we have ~ 90% success rate.
- Our retention rate for those who have completed apprenticeships is almost double that of other national NHS staff rates
- Almost 40% of learners report career progression or progression to higher level study
- Around 30% of HCAs who started their career as an apprentice, have now completed nursing degrees
The programmes exceeded initial expectations and around a quarter of Band 1-4 staff have undertaken apprenticeships making them vocationally competent in their roles. Literacy and numeracy levels have improved, staff working at Level 1 or above at Aintree stands at 94% compared to the national NHS level of 86%.
Introducing apprenticeships has:
• Improved patient care
• Improved literacy and numeracy
• Staff no longer feels that they are, “Just a…...domestic/ward clerk/admin clerk…...”
Apprenticeships support Aintree’s learning culture; they are an integral part of workforce strategies and will play a significant role in succession planning.
Next steps We are commencing an external apprenticeship recruitment venture and transform some of our existing Band 1-4 vacancies to Apprenticeship contracts with a guaranteed interview at the end. The pilot is aimed at recruiting young people from our local community, some of which are in the top 1% most socially deprived in the UK; they will be given mentors and pastoral support to ensure they meet all requirements for the post.
For further information contact Fiona Chapman, Apprenticeship Co-ordinator 0151 529 6228 Fiona.chapman@aintree or Peter Melia, Apprenticeship Support Assistant Tel 0151 529 6365 [email protected]