Publish date: 19 February 2024
Two Blackpool Teaching Hospital colleagues were named best students in their year this month at Salford University Apprentice of the Year Awards.
Holly Andersen, a physiotherapy technical instructor in the MSK team at Blackpool Victoria, took the allied health award and Sarah Dickinson, a biomedical scientist trainee with the Anticoagulant Dosing and Advice Service, the science honour.
Both women were Learner of the Year finalists in the hospital trust's Celebrating Success staff awards last year where Sarah took the 2023 title.
Sarah joined the Trust in 2020 and in that time has been promoted and been appointed her team’s first biomedical scientist trainee. She will complete her apprenticeship degree in August and become a fully-qualified biomedical scientist.
She said: "The biomedical scientist apprenticeship has allowed me to develop my knowledge and skills whilst retaining financial stability. I get to work alongside colleagues who offer job specific support and guidance. It offers the advantage of being able to complete the Institute of Biomedical Science portfolio alongside the degree, so that when I qualify I can apply for my HPCP registration. It is hard work and requires you to live and breathe the course content, but it is well worth it."
A former personal trainer, Holly is nearly half-way through her degree apprenticeship to become a chartered physiotherapist and beat off competition from nearly 500 other allied health professional apprentices to her award.
She said: “The physiotherapy apprenticeship was the perfect fit for me. As a hands-on learner, I thrive in environments where theory and practice seamlessly blend. The programme integrates university studies with real-world experience, letting me develop practical skills and solidify my learning through immediate application.”
Holly has written in more about her experiences for a blog at Salford University.
Mark Hayes, Apprenticeship and Widening Participation Lead for the Trust, said: “On behalf of the Apprenticeship and Widening Participation Team, I’d like to offer a huge congratulations to both Holly and Sarah on their fantastic achievement. We were thrilled to learn of their win, which, against significant competition, reflects their hard work and dedication to the apprenticeship and we hope they enjoy the remainder of their time on programme.”
