When Gracie Walton began her apprenticeship in September 2023, she described herself as nervous and unsure of her voice. Just over a year later, she is an award-winning apprentice, a trusted representative for her peers, and a confident role model within her organisation.

Recently crowned winner of the Hard Working Award at the Luminate Apprenticeship Awards during National Apprenticeship Week, Gracie’s journey is a powerful example of how apprenticeships don’t just build technical expertise – they build confidence, leadership and character.

Based at Don Whitley Scientific Ltd, Gracie is completing the Engineering Fitter Apprenticeship Standard alongside a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering. She was nominated by her assessor, Phil Davidson, in recognition of her exceptional contribution both within the workplace and beyond her core role.

A trusted voice and positive role model

Since starting her apprenticeship, Gracie has developed into a confident and respected member of the team, building and testing specialist Anaerobic Workstations while continuing her studies at college one day a week.

Her assessor praised her for consistently putting herself forward to support colleagues and for acting as a trusted voice for fellow apprentices.

“Gracie consistently puts herself forward to help and support her colleagues, often acting as a trusted voice for team members when she feels they need representation,” he said. “She shares her opinions professionally and through the appropriate channels, including monthly apprentice catch-ups with the Engineering Director and HR.”

Gracie’s empathetic approach has made a real difference to those around her. When a fellow apprentice was off sick, she proactively volunteered to take notes during classes to ensure they didn’t fall behind. She has also embraced mentoring responsibilities, playing a key role in building the confidence of other apprentices within the company.

Alongside her technical role, Gracie is an active member of the company’s charity group. Working closely with colleagues, she independently organised two bake sales, demonstrating initiative, teamwork and a strong commitment to making a positive impact.

Choosing a different route

For Gracie, choosing an apprenticeship was a deliberate decision.

“I thought it’d be a different route to take,” she explained. “I was never really attracted to the idea of university. I wanted to gain experience from people who are actually doing the job, while earning money at the same time.”

Her typical week includes one day at Keighley College learning new theory and completing assignments, followed by hands-on work building and testing workstations – a process that can take several weeks from start to finish. She also undertakes additional training on new products, continually expanding her technical knowledge.

Growing in confidence

Beyond technical skills, Gracie says the apprenticeship has transformed her confidence.

“When I first started, I was quite nervous,” she said. “Over time I’ve become much more confident, and that’s helped me to have a voice within the company.”

One of her proudest moments was receiving a Team Working Award – something she once would not have imagined.

“Past me found working in a team quite hard as I’m naturally quite quiet and nervous. Winning an award for helping others in a team and giving them a voice is something I’m really proud of.”

Gracie credits the support of colleagues Clare and Fergus for helping her succeed.

“They’re a great support system and always want the best for us. Just knowing someone is in your corner and won’t settle for low standards makes a big difference.”

Looking ahead

After completing her apprenticeship, Gracie hopes to progress onto an Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Electrical Engineering. Longer term, she is keen to explore opportunities across different areas of the business, including sales, service or research and development, to broaden her understanding and experience.

Having now been crowned Hard Working Award winner, Gracie is a powerful advocate for apprenticeships.

“Yes, I’d definitely recommend an apprenticeship. You gain real experience, earn money while you learn, and meet experienced people with amazing knowledge. It opens up opportunities you might not get through other routes.”

Gracie’s story is a testament to the transformative power of apprenticeships and the impact one determined individual can have on a workplace community.

Our partnership with Airedale General Hospital has played a key role in our health and social care courses, allowing apprentices, vocational students and supported interns to enter the important industry feeling job-ready.

Over the years, we’ve successfully hosted assessment centres for these apprenticeships and have worked together to design apprenticeship vacancies for individuals who are new to healthcare.

Even better, we regularly collaborate on workforce planning across the district to ensure the NHS can meet future staffing needs and have even connected with the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust to share best practices. 

Here are a few success stories that we’re proud of from the last eight years of this partnership.

Launching our first apprenticeship placement

In 2017, a group of healthcare apprentices began the first ever Keighley College placement with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. The students spent 12 months working across clinical areas and delivering care to patients alongside experienced staff.

The opportunity arose from a partnership agreement between the Trust and Keighley College, which recognised the importance of practical experience alongside classroom learning in developing the next generation of healthcare staff. 

Ian Hargreaves, Assistant Director at the Trust and a former Keighley College governor, said: “We are delighted to have recruited our first group of apprentice healthcare workers and are overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and desire to care for our patients.”

Teaching real skills with supported internships

In September 2018, we launched a supported internship programme with just four students, placing them in Airedale hospital departments such as administration, laundry services, sterile services, estates and mobility services.

Two of these interns successfully secured permanent roles in administration and sterile services – and continue to work there today.

Siddeqa, who has worked in the Administration department since 2019, says: “When I first started I was nervous, but excited to learn new skills. I experienced what it’s like to work in a real work environment. I love my job at Airedale General Hospital and without the support of Keighley College and staff at the hospital, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Supported internships are work-based study programmes, combined with an education, health and care plan, for students aged 16-24 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These unpaid work placements help these students – who wouldn’t ordinarily encounter such opportunities – to learn real skills for future employment.

The college also holds an annual Supported Internship Information Event, where senior management at Airedale hospital have the opportunity to engage with new interns, parents and members of our Careers team.

Our ongoing partnership with the hospital has ensured a growing range of supported internship placements each year, tailored to students’ interests and aspirations. 

Answering the call during Covid-19

A few years later, Holly Greenhalgh’s apprenticeship at Keighley College required her to meet the rising demands the pandemic placed on the healthcare system, earning her an ‘Employee of the Month’ award for the excellent personal care and emotional support she provided Airedale General Hospital’s Covid-19 ward.

Holly credited her apprenticeship with offering her a ‘real opportunity to make a difference within the community’ and relayed how working in a real work environment even bolstered her academic work.

“When I started my apprenticeship, I struggled with dyslexia and the college team was incredibly supportive in identifying useful resources to aid my academic work. 

“Since enrolling, my confidence has sky-rocketed and I have even completed an additional Level 3 research task on dementia. I hope the findings from my research will enable me to supply the best care possible on the ward.”

Treating the future: nurturing talent in healthcare

While studying for her Level 1 qualification in 2022-23, Health & Social Care student, Keira Brookes, worked as a healthcare support worker on Airedale General Hospital’s Elderly Medical Ward, caring for around 21 patients.

Her work placement provided support to the wider team when providing individual patient care and assistance during mealtimes. These experiences provided Keira with first-hand insight into the daily management and running of a busy ward. 

Keria says her experiences opened her eyes to the varied support healthcare workers must provide patients and their relatives, which includes end of life and palliative care support. 

“During these sad times, I learnt how to be there for the patients and their families by doing the last offices after a patient has passed away”, she says. “Getting to know the relatives is just as important in a healthcare support role and something as simple as providing an update on how the patient has been doing can make a crucial difference.”

Ward Manager, Lara Clarkson, noted Keira’s excellent communication skills, especially when liaising with all members of the multidisciplinary team to promote and ensure patients receive a holistic approach to care. 

Keira was grateful to the staff she worked with, who were on hand to offer advice and answer her questions, and says this helped her gain so much confidence.

Since her placement, Kiera has carried out work experience with Bradford Royal Infirmary, completed a Level 3 diploma and started a nursing degree at university.

Practical skills that give back to the community

In recent years, the work experience our students do with Airedale General Hospital has also taken on a more indirect approach to supporting healthcare outcomes. Earlier this year, electrical students, Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Yousaf, began industry placements with the Robertsons Group, where they teamed up with construction engineering company, NG Bailey, to learn how to build and set up hospital wards. 

As a token of our appreciation for both the hospital and the NHS, last year Keighley College students created ‘pocket heart’ gifts for staff, patients and their families in Airedale hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). 

Laura Hepworth, Community Fundraiser at the ICU said: “We are so happy for the kind donation from Keighley College. The talented students have made some beautiful hearts in lovely bright fabric that the patients will love. Thank you so much.”

With so many impactful stories and experiences in recent years, we can’t wait to see more students developing their practical skills and experience to support the area’s healthcare services over the coming years.