Qualified successes at local NHS trust
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust recently held an awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of its support services staff.
The Celebrating Success 2012 event recognised 70 staff who have completed qualifications such as National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Apprenticeships in the last year.
Jackie Davis, learning and development manager for the Trust, said, "The day was especially for support staff including healthcare support workers, receptionists, facilities staff, porters and admin colleagues.
"The aim was to recognise the important contribution that this group of staff makes to services. As a Trust, we face continual challenges and changes and need to ensure we have a workforce who are prepared and have the skills to meet these challenges.
"By undertaking and completing courses in subjects as diverse as Health and Social Care, Customer Service and Business Admin, our staff are demonstrating their ability and willingness to help us meet these challenges.
"I am proud that the Trust has been able to support so many staff to achieve nationally recognised qualifications."
The awards ceremony included hearing from four members of staff who shared their inspirational learning experiences with a packed room. This was followed by the presenting of certificates of achievement to all attendees.
Meenakshi Sharma was one of those celebrating at the event. Meenakshi works as an assistant cook at one of the Trust’s rehabilitation units and completed her NVQ Level 2 in Customer Service last October. She said, "We have got the best team at learning and development: motivating and helpful. I definitely want the same team back for my next qualification! Thanks to this, I am starting a second NVQ very soon, in infection control. I am also hoping to gain another qualification related to my role in catering. I’d like to thank all the learning and development team for their help and encouragement."
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the continued professional development of its staff in order to provide high quality services for the people we care for. 83% of staff said they received job-relevant training, learning or development in the previous 12 months, compared with 80% nationally (2011 NHS Staff Survey).