Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: Andrea’s Remarkable Journey from Apprentice to Specialist Occupational Therapist

As National Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on the power of learning while earning, one Northwest Anglia NHS Foundation Trust colleague is proving just how transformative the apprenticeship route can be. Andrea, now a Specialist Occupational Therapist at Peterborough City Hospital, has not only marked an incredible 25 years with the Trust but has also been named Apprentice of the Year 2024 - an achievement made all the more extraordinary as it comes four decades after she left school.

Andrea, 57, collected her BSc (Hons) degree from the University of Essex in Colchester surrounded by family and friends. Her four year apprenticeship journey took her far outside her comfort zone, navigating academic study, clinical placements, the pressures of working through the pandemic, and the challenge of returning to education as the oldest student on her course.

A career built on experience and reinvention

Andrea’s NHS journey began after leaving school to work at the Freemans Distribution Centre in Peterborough. She later joined the Bank at the former Peterborough District Hospital, working evenings and weekends as a Healthcare Assistant. Her decision to enrol on the Assistant Practitioner in Health Level 5 Apprenticeship opened the door to a new chapter - one that gave her insight into multidisciplinary practice, strengthened her clinical confidence, and inspired her to progress further.

Re-sitting Maths and English was the first step in a demanding period of face to face and online learning, essays, assignments, a dissertation, and a series of placements across Peterborough, Addenbrooke’s, Bury St Edmunds, and Peterborough City Council. These experiences, she says, were “a massive learning curve” and helped her forge professional relationships that continue to benefit her work today.

From apprentice to specialist OT

After completing her Occupational Therapy apprenticeship in October 2024, Andrea successfully interviewed for a Band 6 developmental role in the Front Door Team at Peterborough City Hospital. By October 2025, she had completed her competencies and now works as a Specialist Occupational Therapist covering the Medical Assessment Unit - helping patients return home safely and quickly, and working closely with social services to prevent unnecessary admissions.

Her team includes three physiotherapists, three occupational therapists, and a social worker, all focused on reablement and home based assessments.

Andrea credits the apprenticeship route for making her career progression possible. “I wouldn’t have been able to go to university without the apprenticeship. Being able to earn while you learn is the best route for upskilling NHS staff. You gain real insight into the work while learning the theory behind it.”

Giving back to future apprentices

Andrea now supports new cohorts by taking part in AHP Talks, sharing her experience of transitioning from apprentice to qualified OT. She regularly answers questions from second year apprentices and helps them understand what it’s really like to step into a qualified role. These sessions have become invaluable for learners across the programme.

Andrea’s journey captures the very essence of National Apprenticeship Week: opportunity, resilience, and the life changing impact of accessible education. Her story demonstrates how apprenticeships not only strengthen the NHS workforce but also empower individuals to grow, adapt, and thrive - no matter their age or starting point.