Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has won national recognition for its innovative apprenticeship programme designed to bring new and diverse talent into NHS administration roles
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield College staff celebrate at the Apprenticeship and Training Awards. Photo credit: Apprenticeship and Training Awards.
The Trust won the Best New Apprenticeship Programme award at this year's Apprenticeship and Training Awards for its work developed in partnership with The Sheffield College.
The awards celebrate outstanding achievements by employers and training providers across the UK. Organised by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers in association with City & Guilds, this year's event featured 19 categories and attracted more than 650 nominations.
The PROUD Apprenticeship Programme was created by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals to help address workforce challenges while widening access to NHS careers. Delivered in partnership with The Sheffield College, the programme offers structured training and support for people starting careers in healthcare administration.
Its aim is to give those with limited experience or qualifications an opportunity to succeed within the NHS when given the right support and environment.
The programme does this by removing barriers to employment to young people, under-represented communities and those with a learning difficulty or disability.
Karen Vella Learning, Education and Staff Development Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are delighted to see this impactful apprenticeship programme getting national recognition. It is such a great example of collaborative working between our organisations."
Tom Sutton, Director of Strategic Partnerships, The Sheffield College, said: "I feel so proud that the work we are doing has earned recognition on a national stage.
"This award win signifies the strength of the programme developed in partnership with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Winners were announced during a ceremony at the Apprenticeships and Training Conference held in Liverpool on 3 March 2026.
