PEOPLE of all ages are being invited to Torbay Hospital to discover the range of apprenticeship opportunities available to them within the NHS.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for local health and care services, is hosting a drop-in event for prospective apprentices at the Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital, on Thursday, March 17, from 10am to 5pm.

In support of National Apprenticeship Week 2016, the open day will feature information stands and speakers from areas including the NHS Apprenticeship Service, Job Centre Plus, South Devon College, healthcare representatives and the Trust’s Vocational Education Team.

There will also be current and past apprentices at the event, allowing the students to gain a valuable insight into the opportunities available for apprenticeships at the trust.

There will be an ‘application station’ where attendees will be able to apply for real ‘live’ jobs on the day; at least 10 of those vacancies will be health care assistant apprentice posts.

The trust currently has 122 apprentices working towards qualifications in a wide range of roles from health care to creative and digital media and from laboratory technicians to customer service. The trust is looking to recruit a further 50 new apprentices across the organisation.

Martin Ringrose, director of human resources at the trust, said: ‘As the area’s largest employer, the trust is committed to engaging with people who have an active interest in health care and the wider NHS. Having the apprenticeship programme enables us to grow our own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. To help inspire people, our open day event provides a great opportunity to offer a valuable and practical insight on the apprenticeships available within our organisation.

‘Some of our current apprentices will be on hand to share their experiences as well as explain what they have personally gained from taking the apprenticeship route to achieve their career aspirations.

‘An apprenticeship allows people at all ages to explore their potential in the NHS and we hope our open day will give a compelling insight into the opportunities and career openings that apprenticeships can provide.’

Anyone interested in apprenticeships, work experience placements and traineeships should come along to the open day with their CV and talk to our current and past apprentices as well as the advisers who will be on hand throughout the event.

For more information on the apprenticeship open day, contact the Horizon Centre at the hospital on 01803 656610 or email [email protected]