Case Study Building NHS talent from the ground up Based in the West Midlands, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust offers a range of apprenticeship programmes in collaboration with Dudley College and CMI. We spoke with Jayne Baddams, Curriculum Manager at the College and Jo Slater, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at the Trust, to see how the Level 3 Business Administrator programme is helping to develop the next generation of NHS workers. Nurturing young talentWith the current government focus on investing in young people, the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship has never been more relevant.“It plays a vital role in healthcare, particularly in the NHS, because it provides a really good stepping stone for entry into administration roles and exposure to the wide range of careers available within the organisation,” says Jo Slater, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. It equips individuals with essential and transferable skills that align with our values and behaviours, supporting improved patient care and the NHS long-term workforce plan, which aims to heavily invest in apprenticeships going forward.Jayne Baddams, Curriculum Manager at Dudley College, which partners with the Trust to deliver the academic aspect of the apprenticeship, had similar reasons for offering the programme. “We chose to offer the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship because it gives learners the knowledge and competencies needed to excel in various business environments, within both the private and public sectors”, she explains. “Our partnership with the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust ensures apprentices gain hands-on experience in a real work environment, which helps them understand the day-to-day operations of a business, while developing essential skills such as organisation, time management, communication, and teamwork. These skills are valuable in any job role and industry."Our employers also benefit from having motivated and trained staff who can contribute to the business's productivity and effective operation. Boosting credibilityWhen choosing which End-Point Assessment Organisation to partner with for their apprenticeship programmes, CMI was the obvious choice. In addition to Level 3 Business Administrator, CMI also assesses Dudley College’s Team Leader Level 3 and Operational Management Level 5 apprentices. “We wanted to work with CMI to enhance the quality of our learning and apprenticeship programmes at all levels,” says Jayne.CMI's accreditation ensures that the courses we offer at Dudley College meet high standards and provide valuable learning that’s recognised by employers, giving students a competitive edge in the jobs market."Level 3 apprentices are awarded Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) status upon completion and they’re eligible to apply for full Chartered status at Level 5, significantly boosting career opportunities. In addition to this, apprentices are given access to a wealth of CMI resources including online learning materials, tools and support for continuous professional development, which was another factor in our decision.”It was a decision that paid off, strengthening the partnership between Dudley College and Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust. “The collaboration with CMI has supported the college’s relationship with the NHS by providing apprentices with quality business skills that are essential for workforce development,” says Jayne. “This partnership ensures that our apprenticeship programmes are tailored to meet the specific needs of the healthcare sector, where efficient business support is vital to ensure effective care and business operations.” Supporting studentsUriah Hanley, an Outpatient Ward Clerk, studied the Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship at Dudley College and found that CMI’s resources helped to consolidate his learning. “The articles and videos helped me understand key business concepts and structures more clearly,” he says. “CMI’s career advice and learning journeys also gave me insight into how to apply theory in real workplace scenarios.”Uriah feels that he gained essential practical skills and industry knowledge during the programme. “The apprenticeship has taught me time management, communication, and problem-solving skills. I’m now more confident when handling complex administrative tasks and interacting with colleagues and patients. It has equipped me with transferable business skills that are valuable across many industries. It also shows employers that I’m committed to learning and professional development.”As well as feeling supported throughout his apprenticeship, Uriah found the End-Point Assessment with CMI a smooth and seamless process. “It was challenging but rewarding, and I felt relaxed. I was well prepared and it gave me the opportunity to reflect on everything I had learned and how I applied it in my role.” Upskilling the workforceLevel 3 apprenticeships not only offer opportunities for learners at entry level, they also lay the foundations to develop as a manager or leader. “Apprenticeships are a really good way of upskilling your workforce and putting them on career progression pathways”, says Jo, reflecting on how her apprentices at the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust have developed their knowledge and competencies. “Level 3 is a good starting point, learners gain valuable knowledge and experience of business structures practices, project management and problem-solving as well as developing good communication skills, preparing them for essential principles of leadership. It’s the start of a development pathway for those who want to progress further.”In addition to learning practical business skills, apprentices grow personally from the experience, which Jo finds particularly rewarding to witness. “The apprentices here at the Trust have all grown and developed so much. It’s really nice to see, particularly when we get College leavers who are tackling real-life situations for the first time."They can sometimes be nervous or unsure at the start, but by the time they reach the end of the programme they’re so much more confident and resilient. It’s lovely to see them go through that journey.
