ARROWE Park Hospital will launch £1.1million worth of new apprenticeship opportunities as part of a national drive next month.

As Wirral's largest employer Arrowe Park Hospital wants to lead the way in delivering employment opportunities for young people and developing existing staff through apprenticeships to enhance patient care. 

Young people aged between 16 to 24 who want to get into healthcare are invited to an open day at Arrowe Park Hospital on Monday, March 6.

Information will be available on how to apply for apprenticeship vacancies as well as advice on how to embark on a career in the NHS.

There will also be opportunities to speak to staff and existing apprentices and Wirral Metropolitan College tutors.

Apprenticeships in roles such as healthcare, laboratory, pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy assistants, business and clinical administration posts will be available.

Director of nursing and midwifery, Gaynor Westray said: “The NHS is a great place to work, providing people with the best care possible while enjoying a rewarding career. I’ve been working for this Trust for 30 years and I could not think of a more fulfilling and caring place to work.

“The hundreds of apprentices who have joined our Trust in recent years have played an important role in helping us to deliver patient care.

“Anyone who is thinking of a career in healthcare and in an environment where they will be well supported is urged to consider one of our apprenticeships.”

Libby Webster, 19, from Liscard started working at the Trust as an apprentice two years ago as a validation business clerk before being taken on as a care support worker in December - she is now working towards a degree in nursing.

She said: “It’s my ambition to be a nurse. That’s my next step, to go to university and do nursing.

“I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. It took a while because I couldn’t get in the usual route so I had to do something completely different.

“Doing an apprenticeship got my foot in the door to the NHS. I got to work closely with doctors and nurses and it made me want to be a nurse even more. I’ve met so many nice people and I already know so many staff.

“I would say to people to definitely try an apprenticeship because once you’re in the NHS you’ve always got your apprenticeship behind you. It opens doors, it did for me.

“The contact and communication from the local college is amazing. There is so much support from the hospital and the college, which keeps you motivated.”

For more information visit wuth.nhs.uk website and search for ‘Apprenticeships 2017’.