Occupational Therapy Apprentice Celebrates Career Success During National Apprenticeship Week 2026

As National Apprenticeship Week 2026 shines a spotlight on the life changing impact of apprenticeships across the UK, one inspiring success story comes from Jenny Abdalla-Brown, who has recently completed the Occupational Therapy (OT) Degree Apprenticeship with remarkable achievement.

After many years working within the NHS, Jenny was eager to take the next step in her professional journey. When the opportunity to undertake the OT apprenticeship arose, she embraced it wholeheartedly. “I was delighted to have been offered the opportunity to complete the Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship” she said, recognising it as the perfect route to progress her career while remaining in employment.

Balancing university commitments, workplace responsibilities, and family life was not without its challenges. Yet, Jenny approached the apprenticeship with determination and resilience. The combination of academic study and real world practice proved invaluable, enabling her to apply new skills and knowledge directly within her role. “Studying at university provided an opportunity to apply the theory I'd learned into the workplace, allowing me to develop and strengthen my skills throughout the apprenticeship.”

A pivotal part of Jenny’s journey involved completing a series of placements across a variety of OT settings. These included paediatrics, community practice, and role emerging environments - each providing vital insight into the breadth of OT practice. It was her paediatric placement with a local authority that proved especially transformative. Experiencing paediatric OT from a new perspective sparked an unexpected passion for working with children and young people. “It gave me a completely different viewpoint and opened my eyes to an area of practice I hadn’t previously considered” she reflected.

Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship, Jenny secured a Band 6 paediatric OT position, marking a significant milestone in her career. She attributes much of her success to the encouragement and guidance received throughout her training: “The support from my workplace and the university hugely contributed to me being able to complete the apprenticeship. I cannot recommend the OT apprenticeship journey enough.”

Jenny’s hard work and dedication were also formally recognised when she completed her OTDA with a 2:1 degree and received the prestigious Apprentice of the Year Award in 2025 and has recently won the ESNEFT Rising Star apprenticeship award!

Her story embodies the theme of National Apprenticeship Week 2026 - Skills for Life - demonstrating how apprenticeships empower individuals not only to advance professionally, but to discover new passions, unlock potential, and make meaningful contributions to the future workforce.