Karen Howell, chief executive of Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, writes for the Globe.

IT'S National Apprenticeship Week.

The week shines a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals and organisations.

The NHS in particular benefits from apprentices to help shape future workforces across the nation.

NHS apprenticeships offer routes into many of the 350+ NHS careers through a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning.

The theme for this years National Apprenticeship Week is 'build the future' which, to me, really sums up the value of apprenticeships and how they can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career, and organisations to grow a talented workforce that is equipped with future-ready skills.

We are excited to share and celebrate just a few staff experiences of apprenticeships here at Wirral Community Health and Care Trust (WCHC), from finance and nursing to social work.

Their stories shine a light on the development opportunities and the enormous amount of talent we have in Team WCHC.

Here are WCHC colleagues who have completed or are completing their apprenticeship:

Tom, trainee accountant

"I left school in 2015 and finished my A-Levels in 2017. I had looked for an apprenticeship as this is a good opportunity to gain valuable experience and qualifications, all whilst being paid!

"I strongly believe apprenticeships are a great choice for gaining qualifications.”

Anna, trainee nurse associate

"I had worked as a podiatry assistant for six years for the Trust and was keen to develop my career. However, the traditional route would involve leaving my role and applying to university, which I worried would not be affordable.

"The trust supported me with my trainee nursing associate apprenticeship application and found me a place within the community nursing team, where I have been able to have hands on experience in the workplace supported by the teaching at university.

"I am now just coming up to the end of my first year and would recommend this route to anyone wishing to further their career as it builds on the skills you already have, enabling you to gain a qualification whilst continuing to work.”

Rachael, care navigator and social work student

"I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to do the social work degree apprenticeship as it has given me the opportunity to complete a professional qualification and gain a degree without having to get into student debt.

"The training has helped me improve how I work and has made me see things through a different lens.

"I am able to advocate for those I support in a much better way. I would recommend an apprenticeship to others, because despite the challenges, the rewards are worth it."

Natasha

"The benefit of the apprenticeship is having the best of both worlds – working and gaining that valuable experience whist learning new skills that we can apply to our work. This benefits ourselves as practitioners but mostly supports the people that we work to achieve positive outcomes."

Lindsay, care navigator and social work student

"The chance to complete a higher education qualification and advance my career would not have been possible without the social work degree apprenticeship programme.

"I am grateful to work for a trust that invests in the learning and development of its employees by offering such fantastic opportunities. This personally, makes me feel valued and really motivates me to succeed.

"I would highly recommend apprenticeships, as I have felt hugely supported throughout my experience from my team, managers, learning and development team, and the university who are all invested in my progress and success on the course."

Lynda, Lindsay’s line manager

"Lindsay has taken every challenge and opportunity that she has been offered through this course. She works hard and makes the most of all the time given to further her studies.

"The career path she has chosen shines though and she is not willing to waste such a fantastic opportunity.

"She is an asset to the social work apprenticeship, to Adult Social Care and WCHC. I cannot wait to see her develop even more over the next few years."

If you're feeling inspired by these apprenticeship stories, the University of Chester is hosting various events during National Apprenticeship Week for current and prospective apprentices and employers to get involved in.

Find out more www1.chester.ac.uk.

Or to find out more about NHS apprenticeships, visit www.healthcareers.nhs.uk.