National Apprenticeship Week takes place from 6th - 13th February and is a week long celebration of apprenticeships. The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Frome Medical Practice works with Somerset Skills and Learning to offer opportunities for apprenticeships. Over the course of the last few years the practice has offered 12 apprenticeships, including a current vacancy for a Customer Service Apprentice, working in the Medicines Management and Care Navigator teams. Previous apprenticeships have spanned many other teams, including finance, IT, patient services and Human Resources. Several former apprentices have now got permanent roles within the practice team.

Practice Manager Karen Creffield said: "We believe it's important to invest in future talent so we are delighted to work with Somerset Skills and Learning to ensure we offer apprenticeships at the practice. Where possible we love to see apprentices progressing in roles within the practice, but we are also proud when they move on to new and exciting opportunities, which in the past have included degrees or career opportunities elsewhere."

Ben Peaty is an IT Apprentice in the Digital, Data and Technology Team and is the third person to do an IT apprenticeship at the practice. Ben said, "The opportunity of an apprenticeship was extremely appealing to me as a middle ground between education and work, providing both a placement, which allows me to benefit the community, and additionally to get a foot in the door in an extremely multifaceted and versatile industry. My work is wonderfully engaging, as well as endlessly dynamic, and my input as an apprentice technician is deeply appreciated and respected by my team, which provides me with a sense of independence and growth in my role."

For more information about apprenticeships at Frome Medical Practice please click here and to find out more about the work that Somerset Skills and Learning do on apprenticeships click here.