Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Values Based Healthcare
National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for us as an organisation to celebrate the passion, dedication and fresh perspectives apprentices bring to our workforce in CTM every day.
Earlier this week, we shone a light on our Maternity Support Worker apprentices, and now we are proud to celebrate the incredible apprentices across Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board who are shaping the future of healthcare through values-based practice.
Tilly has dyslexia and dyscalculia, and when she first started, she wasn’t sure if she could take on the challenge of a formal qualification.
Since beginning her apprenticeship, Tilly’s confidence has soared. Her concentration has improved, she thrives working from home, and her writing skills have grown immensely.
Supported by her manager, Sam Connell, Senior Project Manager, Tilly completed her Business Administration Level 3 qualification and is now progressing to Level 4.
“At first, I was a bit afraid of the qualification, but now I know I can do it. The support I’ve had has been amazing, and my confidence has grown so much,” explained Tilly.
For Eve, an Admin Support Officer in the same team, the apprenticeship has offered hands-on experience across multiple services. She enjoys the variety in her day-to-day tasks and engaging with the patient voice through surveys and feedback.
The apprenticeship suited her perfectly, giving her practical skills and the chance to progress without the pressures of a full-time degree.
Eve said: “My heart wasn’t in a degree; it just wasn’t for me. The apprenticeship has given me a hands-on approach, and I absolutely love it.”
Iestyn, a Network75 apprentice on his third year, joined CTM by accident but it turned out to be the best decision he ever made. He thrives on working with data, analysing patient feedback, and supporting digital projects that improve care across the health board. He is completing a Digital Degree in Computing through the University of South Wales.
Iestyn said: “I would highly recommend an apprenticeship at Cwm Taf Morgannwg. It’s been such a positive experience, and I enjoy every day.”
Madison began her journey with a Business Admin Level 2 apprenticeship and has now moved on to Level 3. She values the opportunity to earn a qualification while gaining hands-on experience.
“Getting the qualification after doing the job is a fantastic initiative. I love organising my work, and I find it really interesting,” commented Madison.
Their manager, Sam Cornnell reflects on the apprenticeship program’s impact: “I love the apprenticeship scheme. You get them fresh, and you can build them up. At first, they don’t see their potential, but I always can. They will be the Heads of Departments in the future. I want to give them a good start in their career, and this is a fantastic environment to do it. The seeds you sow now will be the flowers of the future.”
Rhian Lewis, Learning and Development Lead at the Apprenticeship Academy, said: “Watching our apprentices grow, face challenges, and exceed their own expectations is incredibly inspiring. They show resilience, determination, and a passion for making a difference that embodies the very heart of healthcare. Apprenticeships give people the tools to thrive in their careers while contributing to patient care from day one. I couldn’t be prouder of what they have achieved so far, and I know this is just the beginning of an amazing journey for each of them.”
12/02/26