PM and Priory blaze trail

The Priory Group is playing a leading role in a new nursing training scheme, launched by The Prime Minister yesterday.

‘Trailblazers’ will be led by organisations, including Health Education England, Barchester Healthcare, Priory Group, Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals. This will develop the standard for a registered nursing professional.

Eight initial ‘Trailblazers’ from a broad spectrum of sectors including aerospace, automotive, digital, electro-technical, energy, financial services, food and drink and life and industrial sciences have already become involved in the project to develop new apprenticeship standards for occupations in their own sectors.

Phase 2 focuses on the healthcare sector for the reforms, which will put employers in the driving seat to create the new standards that will deliver the skills care providers and learners need.

The reformed apprenticeships will be:
• Employer-led and designed so they respond to the needs of industry, meaning each apprentice has the skills required by the sector
• Focused on quality so the apprentice has to demonstrate their ability through rigorous assessment at the end of their apprenticeship
• Graded on completion – pass, merit or distinction – to mark the level of achievement

Janet Cowie, head of people development at the Priory Group, who is attending a reception at 10 Downing Street tomorrow to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, said: “As a major employer in the healthcare sector it is important that the Priory Group supports this important initiative.

“Being involved in the ‘Trailblazers’ gives us the opportunity to help develop the new apprenticeship standards for the healthcare sector. The apprenticeships must reflect the diverse and ever changing needs of healthcare and ensure that the sector has properly trained, professional staff to provide quality care and positive outcomes for patients and service users, an aim that is shared by Priory Group.”