Apprentices at Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust are set to secure a better deal at work since their employers became the first organisation in the country to sign up to UNISON’s new Apprenticeship Charter.

UNISON Assistant General Secretary Christina McAnea signed the charter in December alongside the Trust’s interim Chief Executive Karen Jackson and Associate Director of HR Jane Royds alongside UNISON Branch Secretary John Flannery. 

Christine said:

It’s very welcome that the Trust views apprenticeships as an investment in its future workforce, rather than a short-term source of cheap labour.”

We are delighted the Trust has decided to sign up to our charter, publicly signalling its commitment to structured learning. We hope many other employers will soon follow their lead.”

The more employers sign and support the UNISON Apprenticeship Charter, the more they will gain from their apprenticeship programmes.

Christine points out.

The contribution of apprentices to the workplace is too often overlooked and unfortunately many young people find themselves exploited, working long hours for low wages, with little support.”

Yet by properly investing in the workforce of tomorrow, employers can nurture talent and help fill the skills gap – and give a boost to the local economy at the same time.”

Current apprentice Simon Bunting, who works in the pharmacy at the Trust, says he has valued the opportunity to develop his career through his apprenticeship.

Simon said:

It is hard work, but I have learned a great deal, which is already helping me to have a better understanding of leadership and management, enabling me to use this knowledge to become better at my job.”

It is great that more people will have a chance to undertake a high-quality apprenticeship in the future.”

The charter sets out how UNISON will actively support apprenticeships that provide apprentices with (among other things):

• the correct rate for the job they are doing

• high-quality training, on and off the job

• the offer of a job when they have completed their apprenticeship

• a safe and healthy working environment, free from discrimination and bullying.

It also specifies the key responsibilities that employers agree to, including:

• developing a high-quality apprenticeship scheme that respects apprentices’ rights through negotiating with the relevant trade unions

• choosing a high-quality training provider

• providing support and training for employees who supervise apprentices

• actively challenging job stereotyping

• conducting a skills audit, to properly determine their organisation’s needs.

Karen says that the Trust is delighted to be able to support UNISON’s charter.

Apprenticeships help us develop our staff, opening new doors in their development so together we can best meet patient needs.”

This story first appeared in the Spring 2018 edition of The Learning Rep – to read the full edition click here.