Changing paths with an East Kent Hospitals apprenticeship

From grooming horses at a competition yard to managing and overseeing the operations of an NHS service, 27-year-old Amy Daniels didn’t expect to be where she is today.

After sustaining horse-riding injuries, Amy realised that her dream of spending her life working with horses was no longer an option and she would have to find a new career path.

Amy said: “I had no idea what to do for work but then I saw that I could get a business and administration apprenticeship at East Kent Hospitals and I went for it even though I didn’t expect to get in.

“When I interviewed for the apprenticeship at Canterbury College, we were given the opportunity to speak to the different services that we could work for which really helped to give me some insight into the role and the people I could be working with.

“Fortunately, I was offered a year-long placement within trauma and orthopaedics, my role was mainly supporting the secretaries. I was able to complete my studies during work time which helped with my work/life balance.

“The thing I loved most about my apprenticeship is that I was a part of small group of students who were doing their apprenticeship at East Kent Hospitals but with other services, so we could all share our experiences and learn from each other too.

 “One of the great things about doing an apprenticeship here is that there is a dedicated team on site who are really passionate about supporting us. I always knew that I could go to them for anything, no matter how small, their doors were always open.

“Following on from my apprenticeship I was fortunate to secure a substantive role within the Trust and over the next four years I worked my way up to where I am today.”

Amy is now a deputy operations manager for ophthalmology, where she helps to ensure everything is running smoothly for patients and staff.

Amy said: “I really enjoy my role and the team that I work with. I didn’t get particularly good grades in school and so I didn’t think I’d be able to ever call myself a deputy operations manager, but it goes to show that passion, hard work and having a willingness to learn, can get you far in life.”