Push yourself to progress, says award-winning apprentice

Catherine Jay, who works for Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, described her time learning as an apprentice as a “massive personal achievement”.

The 48-year-old is one of nearly 300 apprentices to complete their studies at the trust since the introduction of the government’s Apprenticeship Levy in 2017.

The trust supports a variety of apprenticeship programmes, working with local and national education providers to provide hands-on experience and professional development for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Catherine completed a Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner programme and, more recently, a Level 6 Occupational Therapist (integrated degree).

Cath said: “I wanted to push myself and have that personal achievement, as well as progressing my career.

“I think as an older learner, you do doubt yourself a little bit.

“You think, ‘can I do this?’

“I've been out of education for so long, so it was a massive personal achievement, and the push that you sometimes need to give yourself to prove you can still accomplish big things.

“You don’t have to just settle for life as it goes by.

“You can push yourself and be something that hopefully your kids would look up to.”

Last year Catherine won Learner of the Year 2024 at the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership Awards which she described as an “honour” and a “lovely surprise”.

Graham Travis, the trust’s apprenticeship manager, said: “Through apprenticeships, we have helped upskill members of our existing workforce as well as helping people enter a new career in the NHS.

“Apprentices provide a significant contribution to Rotherham’s healthcare services in patient-facing roles, as well as those less visible but no less important, to patients and members of the public,” he added.

“As well as apprenticeships, we’re excited to be welcoming our first Health T-Level students next month when they start their placements.”