Chloe, Former Admin Assistant

Chloe, former Admin Assistant Apprentice

“I was attending Norwich4Jobs, an organisation which helps people aged 16-24 get into work or education and they suggested I go to an open day at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

“A lovely lady called Julia who worked at the hospital spoke to me and said she thought it would be a great idea for me to do the ‘Get into Health and Social Care’ programme with The Prince’s Trust.

“The programme gave me experience of volunteering for two weeks doing admin work at the NNUH and two weeks doing a mix of admin and housekeeping at Norwich Community Hospital.

“Before we started our experience, we had a week where we worked towards a Level One Certificate in Adult Social Care, learned first aid and had professionals and employers provide feedback on our CVs and application and we also got chance to practice mock interviews. This advice was so useful!

“This led me to getting a position as an Apprentice Administration Assistant for Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust at Priscilla Bacon Lodge.

“I really wanted to continue earning my own money and feel like I was bringing something to the community. Also, I thought that the NHS would be a brilliant organisation to work for as they are caring, professional and open minded.

“If anything, my experience at Prince’s Trust made me feel I could really bring something to the NHS as I received such positive feedback which made me feel valued.

“When I did my apprenticeship, it taught me how to deal with certain situations, what my strengths were and how I could play to those strengths to boost my confidence. I learned lots of new skills and my role was varied.

“My apprenticeship was fixed term and near the end I got a temporary position as a Housekeeper at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. I’m pleased to say I’m now being made permanent.

“My advice to those starting an apprenticeship such as this would be: ask questions so that you learn and understand more, particularly with new situations. Choose a role you enjoy, which plays to your strengths and make sure you want to work for the NHS. It is important to be a caring, hardworking and understanding person if you want to work in the NHS.

“But also, be open minded. After my apprenticeship working as an Administration Assistant, I was certain that the only role for me was in admin, but a position came up on the NNUH Bank as a Housekeeper and I gave it a go! I had never done housekeeping before but now I love it.”

Chloe, former Administration Assistant Apprentice at NCH&C and now Housekeeper at NNUH.