To coincide with the recent National Apprenticeship Week, healthcare worker Josie Keenan shared her experience of doing an apprenticeship at the Bath Clinic.
Josie, who works at the Bath Clinic | Photo © Circle Health Group
Josie, who’s 30 and from Melksham, left education 15 years ago and admits that at first, she was nervous about going back.
She began her journey at Bath Clinic, part of Circle Health Group, where she joined as a healthcare assistant.
She has had a passion for working in healthcare since her teens. Keen to learn new skills and develop her knowledge in the sector, an apprenticeship was a great way to achieve this.
Josie explained: “I didn’t have A-levels or any previous experience. The apprenticeship programme was the perfect way for me to gain the skills and knowledge without having to return to full-time education.
“I could earn a full-time salary along with working at Bath Clinic and that was a big draw for me in wanting to do an apprenticeship programme.”
She discovered that Circle Health Group was offering nursing apprenticeships and last year enrolled on to a Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship programme, accredited through Teesside University.
Josie said: “The Level 3 Senior Healthcare Assistant Apprenticeship programme gave me the skills that I could pick up and use in my role at Bath Clinic. The apprenticeship programme gave me the confidence that I could move forward during the first steps in my career in healthcare.
“This meant I could take the skills that I had learnt and develop them in a clinical environment.
“I’ve been doing my apprenticeship since August and the tutors at the college have been amazing. They are so understanding and helpful. I enjoy the study days and having time to work towards my qualification.”
Josie is due to complete her qualification in August 2025. Reflecting on her experiences so far, she admits it’s not always been easy.
“Having left education 15 years ago, I was nervous about how I would cope with the assignments and managing my time. Balancing my studies alongside being a single parent has also been a challenge.
“However, my tutors have been very helpful. They’ve been able to point me in the right direction when I have been stuck on a particular assignment or topic, so I’m grateful for that.”
She added: “Doing an apprenticeship programme has allowed me to have better career prospects in the future.
“I hope to finish my current course and then work towards becoming an Occupational Departmental Practitioner by enrolling onto another apprenticeship programme.”
Josie is one of eight apprentices who are working towards or have completed their qualifications at Bath Clinic.
In 2023 alone, Circle Health Group supported more than 200 apprentices to complete their qualifications. Since launching the apprenticeship programme in 2017, there are now 35 bespoke programmes aimed at recruiting and retaining talent in clinical and non-clinical roles.
