Results are in for Ofsted report into apprenticeship delivery at OUH

Highly focused individual support, successful promotion of careers in the NHS, and excellent training were just some of the findings of a recent report into apprenticeship delivery at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) visited the Trust in June this year to see how well we were supporting our apprentices since becoming an employer provider in 2017. We offer apprenticeships in a wide variety of fields, not only Young Apprenticeships for those aged 16 to 19, but Adult Apprenticeships for our staff.

The Ofsted report recognised that managers support their apprentices very well and tailor their guidance to meet individual needs. It also noted that apprentices received excellent training that prepares them well for their job roles, with most apprentices developing the skills, knowledge and behaviours they need to succeed in their training and at work. Our apprentices also benefit from support and tuition by highly qualified and skilled Trust employees, who share their expertise and knowledge to broaden the apprentices' understanding.

Claire Wardle, Apprentice Lead at the Trust, said: "We were really pleased with the results of this report.

"It's great to hear that our support and guidance benefits our apprentices so well. We offer a wide variety of education, training, and development opportunities for our apprentices - it's incredibly varied with opportunities ranging from travelling overseas to support our international recruitment, to planning our very popular and successful Staff Recognition Awards.

"The report has also given us areas to focus on to develop and improve our services even further, and we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our apprentices."

Jack Dobson, a former Laboratory Support Worker Apprentice in Microbiology who is now undertaking a degree in Biomedical Science while still working in the department, said: "As an Apprentice I was getting a wage alongside a BTEC qualification - the best of both worlds. My communication and team working skills were hugely improved. I have also learnt how to meet deadlines. I have now progressed on to University with the laboratory, which is a great opportunity."

Find out more at www.ouh.nhs.uk/apprenticeships

Pictured: OUH apprentice Jack Dobson