NAW 2025

Introduction

Apprenticeships and skill opportunities will be available across Sirona from May 2025 in Clinical and Non-Clinical roles. As an apprentice, you’ll gain a range of varied and transferable skills needed to succeed in the modern economy. Apprenticeships will also be viewed and valued as a supported pathway towards careers in health and social care.

Apprenticeships offer the chance to progress your career while working to gain a nationally recognised qualification. They provide valuable opportunities for new and existing staff to grow and develop, to support our services and become an integral part of the workforce.

Data Source – Department for Education, October 2024. Statistics: further education and skills – GOV.UK

Click on the video to watch Michele Hurst, Associate Director of Learning, Organisational Development and Design, speak about how Sirona can support you as an Apprentice.

Click on the video to watch Carrie Woodward, Communications Officer, discuss a personal apprenticeship experience with Chris Brown, Community Learning Disability Nurse. Find out about Chris’ experience and how he has been supported throughout his apprenticeship at Sirona.

Public Health Nurse Development Pathway

This pathway allows candidates who are in community early years practitioners roles within health visiting teams and school health assistants within school nursing teams to progress to the Specialist Public Health Nurse qualification to become a Health Visitor or a School Nurse.

Candidates must first complete the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship and become Nursing Associates. They are then able to progress onto the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship and then after a period of time in a Band 5 staff public health nurse role they are then able to apply to complete the Specialist Community Practitioner course to be a Health Visitor or School Nurse.

T-Level Thursday

A T-Level in health is ideal for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in healthcare. Within the classroom element, you will gain a general understanding of health and science as well as undertake more specific learning in areas such as providing centred care, anatomy and physiology and diseases and disorders.

In addition to this, you will have a minimum of 9 weeks of placement where you will gain experience of what it is like to work in a healthcare setting, developing new skills and knowledge that employers really value.

Click on the video to watch T-Level Apprentices Amber and Elleigh speak about their route into starting a career with the NHS.

Celebration Friday

We wrapped up National Apprenticeship Week 2025 and celebrate achievements across Sirona, from Leaders to Apprentices who contributed to National Apprenticeship Week and their achievements within the organisation.

Thank you to everyone who added to this event. Special thanks goes to Michele Hurst, Associate Director of Learning, Organisational Development; Chris Brown, Learning Disability Nurse apprentice in Adult Services; Keighley Hacking, Education and Student Development Manager and her dedicated Education Team for hosting the Open Day and discussing apprenticeships with candidates. Apprenticeship Ambassador, Katherine Afford for IT Training in South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network – SWAAN for joining us to give advice.

Awards and Personal Thanks

Apprentice Open Day Event – Wednesday 12 February

The Education Team hosted a successful Open Day event on Wednesday, 12 February. We saw many candidates join us in person and attend the online drop-in session.

The Education Team did a fantastic job informing the candidate of our apprenticeship opportunities across Sirona.

Photos from the Open Day and Karen Burbidge receiving the award at UWE

Apprentices Success Stories

Joel Beeston – Physiotherapist Apprentice

Joel will graduate this year and was one of three to launch the physiotherapist apprenticeship at Sirona in 2021 – he will be one of our first physiotherapist graduates and has spent 4 years doing this.

“After completing a previous degree in exercise science and working as a Band 3 Community Support Worker within Sirona, I felt that I had no options to progress my healthcare career further. I felt the only option was to go back to university full-time to study Physiotherapy but with a mortgage to pay and a dog to feed this was simply not a financially viable option.

However, the Physiotherapy apprenticeship within Sirona has allowed me to continue with employment within healthcare while still developing my skills and progressing my career forward. It has given me the confidence and skills needed to develop as a healthcare professional and has allowed me to pursue my passion of helping to improve people’s quality of life.”  – Joel Beeston

Regan Newman – Network Engineering Apprentice

Regan is on a Network Engineering Apprenticeship Level 4

“I chose to pursue an apprenticeship in network engineering to advance in my role and expand my technical knowledge, particularly in how network engineering can be applied within a healthcare setting. The hands-on experience has been invaluable, allowing me to deepen my understanding of the intricacies of network infrastructure.

On this apprenticeship I led the current network migration project, overseeing upgrades at over 10 sites. This has resulted in a fast, more efficient network across the organisation. Additionally, my ability to troubleshoot and resolve ongoing network issues will help improve the overall performance and reliability of our systems.” – Regan Newman

Teresa Pinnell – Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship

Teresa has undertaken three practice placements as part of her apprenticeship.

“My first placement was with AWP in the inpatient eating disorders service. This was my first experience of working in mental health. I throughly enjoyed my time in placement and was very well supported by my practice educator and all of the team. I would highly recommend a placement here.

My second placement was with South Gloucestershire Council, Adult Social Care, Central team and my final practice placement, was also with South Gloucestershire Council, Adult Social Care. Working wiht both the Assistive Technology and Housing teams. It was my first experience of Social Care and it really opened my eyes to the difference between health and social care.

I was supported by all of my practice educators while on placement with South Gloucestershire Council. I gain a vast amount of knowledge and confidence while on practice placements.

I would thoroughly recommend anyone who has not experienced Social Care, to gain experience in this area. I feel very proud to almost have completed my Occupational Therapist Degree apprenticeship – it’s been tough at times but worth it!” – Teresa Pinnell

The Education Team – 

Learning, Organisational Development and Design

Keighley Hacking 

Education and Student Development Manager

Karen Burbidge

Practice Educator Facilitator for Clinical Apprenticeships

Sue Ellis

Senior Coordinator – Apprenticeship Development

Clare Taylor

Education Facilitator

Holly Langham

Education Facilitator

Katie Newbery

Practice Education Facilitator (UoG)

Jordan Blumire

Data Analyst Apprentice