A Lanarkshire woman has credited a modern apprenticeship programme for launching her career.
Michelle Gormley, from Carnwath, joined NHS Lanarkshire’s Modern Apprenticeship programme when she left school at 17.
Now a senior international recruitment advisor for NHS Lanarkshire, she is encouraging young people aged between 16 and 24 to follow her lead and consider the current programme, which is now open to applicants.
Michelle said: “Toward the end of high school, I wasn’t really sure what direction I saw myself going in terms of a career and decided that I wanted to just try and get some work experience to sort of find myself and what I would like to do with my life.
“I heard about the Modern Apprenticeship program with NHS Lanarkshire and applied for that opportunity and was successful for a clerical officer position within HR Recruitment.
“There were various opportunities available through the Modern Apprenticeship Program. So I didn’t specifically apply for HR recruitment or HR. I didn’t actually really understand what HR was at that moment in my life.
“I left school at 17, so I left school on the Friday and I started in post on the Monday.”
NHS Lanarkshire’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme is a great way for 16-24 year olds to get experience directly in the workplace, working within NHS Lanarkshire while studying towards a college level qualification.
Completing the programme will give you skills and experience which will help you to progress and succeed within your career along with gaining recognised qualifications.
This year NHS Lanarkshire are recruiting for business/administration, health and social care and IT Modern Apprenticeships.
Describing her Modern Apprenticeship, Michelle said: “So it’s just a normal job. You’re coming to work, you’re doing your day job, but you’re also undertaking a SVQ qualification in Business Administration. And all the coursework that you did for that qualification was all work based, so you were using evidence from what you were doing on a day to day basis in work for the qualification itself.
“My manager would make sure that I had dedicated time to focus on the coursework. I think I’ve always been really lucky that I’ve had a really good supportive team and management structure where I have been really well supported.
“I don’t think I would have ended up in HR if I hadn’t come through the Modern Apprenticeship Program. It’s given me an opportunity not just to find a job, but a career. And it’s a career that I really love.
Throughout her Modern Apprenticeship, Michelle began to understand what the HR directorate entailed and realised that this was the career for her.
Michelle has continued to work her way up within the department, completing qualifications along the way. She has completed courses up to postgraduate level and is now studying towards a master’s degree.
Michelle added: “I would absolutely encourage anybody to sign up for a Modern Apprenticeship with NHS Lanarkshire.
“It’s an organization which really supports your development. It’s not just a job. You will be supported to help find a career within the organization. That’s certainly what my experience was.
“I wouldn’t be sitting where I’m sitting at the moment had I not have come through the Modern Apprenticeship program.
“I would just say that to absolutely go for it. It is hard work, there’s absolutely no denying that. But you don’t get something for nothing. If you put in the hard work, then you’ll definitely reap the benefits and who knows where you could end up in ten years from now.”
A number of online interest calls have been set up to allow those interested to find out more about the roles and receive more details on how to apply.
These will be held via MS Teams on:
- Friday 2 June at 2pm – Interest Call 1
- Thursday 8 June 10am – Interest Call 2
To apply for NHS Lanarkshire’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme, visit: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/recruitment/modern-apprenticeship-programme/
