No age limit for Apprenticeships
Date of release: 9 February 2024
A grandad is proving age is no barrier to career development this National Apprenticeship Week.
Lee Pearson, Facilities Support Officer
Facilities Support Officer, Lee Pearson, started his Level 3 Facilities Management Apprenticeship in September 2023 with support from GLP Training and The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) Apprenticeship Team.
The 54-year-old, of Bilston, joined RWT more than seven years ago. He previously worked in IT, fixing hardware and software issues before joining Facilities and Portering within the NHS.
A farther of three, and grandfather of five, Lee is juggling his time between family life and his professional development. Support from his wife Karen, who also works at RWT as a Healthcare Assistant, is enabling him to keep a work-life balance.
Karen is also keen to grow her skills and is receiving support from the Training and Development Team at RWT.
The level 3 apprenticeship with GLP Training consists of monthly virtual sessions, usually followed up by assignments to complete in certain topics.
Eager to grow his career in Facilities, Lee is looking forward to completing his level 3 qualification in March 2025.
He said: “I’ve always tried to keep my knowledge up to date with various short courses available within the NHS, but starting an apprenticeship is possibly the biggest educational commitment I have made in over 20 years.
“My role is varied and covers everything from training staff, wellbeing, health, and safety to running reports, KPIs and various projects within the department. The module within this apprenticeship supports my day-to-day duties.
“I’ve already got more confidence which is enabling me to fill the gaps in my knowledge that I need to do the role successfully.”
And his message to others is: “You are never too old to learn new skills or even progress in your current role. Don’t let age be a barrier and apply for that course you have been looking at, you won’t regret it.”
David Hannon-Homer, Skills Coach at GLP Training, has supported Lee since the start of his apprenticeship.
He said: “Lee is a pleasure to work with and is always engaging well and contributes great ideas at our group sessions.
“The workshops are always followed up with excellent assignments and pieces of work. With regards to his Functional Skills, Lee has hit these head on and is regularly engaging with his English and math tutors and is due to take his exams in the next few weeks.”
The Apprenticeship Team at RWT offers opportunities to those who want to start their career within the NHS, as well as those who are already within the NHS. It offers 62 different apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7.
Danielle Wilkes, Apprenticeship Promotion, and Information Officer at RWT added: “The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is ‘Skills for Life’ which is why we are trying to break the stigma surrounding age in apprenticeships.
“Lee is a great example of how age is not a barrier having said it is one of the most informative and educational courses he’s ever taken part in.”
