Apprenticeship Week 2026

9 February 2025

Thinking about picking up a new skill or boosting your career?  This Apprenticeship Week, whether you're just starting out or looking to try something new, apprenticeships at VUNHST are a fantastic way to keep learning and growing throughout your career.

There are lots of different courses available to help you reach your goals. By bringing new talent into our team, our apprentices can nurture their essential skills while strengthening the service we provide.

Apprenticeships offer valuable benefits by combining practical, on-the-job experience with academic learning. They enable individuals to earn while they learn, develop specialised skills tailored to industry needs, and increase their employability. Apprenticeships also provide employers with a skilled and motivated workforce, helping to bridge skills gaps and support business growth.

Meet Emma

Emma is currently an apprentice in our People and OD department. She won ‘Learner of the Year’ at last year's Employee Excellence Awards! 

“Before starting my apprenticeship, I knew I wanted to work for Velindre because of its strong values and positive reputation. While my previous role wasn’t formally in HR, I found myself carrying out many HR-related tasks without realising they were part of the profession. That experience helped me recognise my interest in HR and confirmed that it was a career path I wanted to pursue.”

“I started at Velindre two years ago and became aware of the apprenticeship opportunity through NHS job online. I decided to apply as it offered a recognised qualification alongside practical, hands-on experience. The application process was straightforward and well-structured, and it was encouraging to see how supportive the organisation was of learning and development.”

“I’m really enjoying the apprenticeship. It has given me the opportunity to apply what I’m learning directly to my role, which has helped build my confidence and understanding of HR in a practical way. Being able to link theory to real-life situations has been incredibly valuable and it’s helped me feel more confident about my future career in HR. I was also proud to be awarded Learner of the Year at the Employee Awards, which was a great recognition of the progress I’ve made through the apprenticeship.”

"My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship would be to go for it, even if you’re unsure. An apprenticeship is a great way to gain real experience, build confidence, and develop a career while still learning. It’s a supportive environment where you are encouraged to grow, and it can open up many future opportunities especially within an organisation that values development like Velindre."

The following learning routes are fully funded for staff who work 16+ hours per week:

• ILM Management – Levels 3, 4 & 5 (suitable for First Line Managers, Operational Managers & Senior Managers)

• Project Management – Level 4 (suitable for Project Managers & Project Leaders)

• Business Administration – Level 4 (suitable for experienced Administrators)

• Digital Skills for Business – Levels 2 & 3 (suitable for those who use digital office software)

• Information, Advice & Guidance – Levels 3 & 4 (suitable for those who provide advice and guidance services, on a professional basis)

• Learning & Development – Level 3 (suitable for anyone who facilitates learning within an organisation)

• Energy & Carbon Management – Level 3 (suitable for those who analyse and understand an organisation’s energy usage)

The following learning routes are fully funded for staff who have been in role for less than 12 months or are under 25 years of age:

• Business Administration – Levels 2 & 3 

• Customer Service – Levels 2 & 3

• Team Leading – Level 2

Contact Velindre.wideningaccess@wales.nhs.uk for more information – we're happy to help.