Moy Park has transferred over £30,000 from its Apprenticeship Levy fund to support the NHS and help two local nurses complete their training.
The funding, made through the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme, will allow Cheriece Gordon – who was a prescription clerk – to now undertake associate nurse training with the Hicks Group Practice in Huntingdon.
Joining Cheriece is Lindsey Weidisch, who has been working as a healthcare assistant at the practice since 2019. Lindsey had always wanted to be a nurse, but with a young family and dealing with the loss of a close family member, she thought the opportunity may have passed her by. With encouragement and support from her nursing colleagues, Lindsey applied for conversion to nurse training, and began the 2-year course in October 2021.
The training is the first of its kind in the UK to be funded by a collaboration between Health Education England (HEE), the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, and food and drink companies.
The course will provide hands-on experience in primary care as well as secondary care placements, and classroom theory sessions. At the end of the course, Cheriece and Lindsey will be equipped with the skills to perform treatment room procedures such as wound dressing, smoking cessation, and vaccinations.
Nicola Hayward, Moy Park Early Careers and Apprenticeship Manager said:
“At Moy Park, we recognise how rewarding a thriving apprenticeship programme can be for both an organisation and those who participate. They help people to access new careers they may have never considered whilst building skills for the future, helping families, communities, and businesses. Our role in contributing to the local areas in which we operate is so important to us, and I am delighted that this funding will allow Cheriece and Lindsey to develop the new skills and capabilities needed to succeed in their careers.”
Lisa Harrison, Practice Manager at Hicks Group Practice, Huntingdon said:
“We are pleased to be able to support Cheriece and Lindsey’s career progression. With increased patient numbers at the practice, and a smaller pool of practice nurses, we wanted to look at different ways to recruit new nurses for the future. Thanks to the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme, and the generous support of Moy Park, we will ensure we maintain the high level of care we always provide to our patients, and support the development of two talented healthcare professionals.”
HEE is part of the NHS and works with partners to plan, recruit, educate and train the health workforce in England which includes supporting, planning, and developing apprenticeships for both the NHS and Social Care organisations. These organisations include large NHS Hospital Trusts who pay the Levy to smaller organisations who do not such as GP Practices and mental health community interest companies (CICs).
