More than 100 of our apprentices were recognised at the House of Commons on Monday 9 February as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

The event celebrated the achievements of apprentices from across the Trust and highlighted how apprenticeships support local people to build NHS careers, while developing the skills needed to deliver excellent care for patients.

We were invited by Barking MP Nesil Caliskan and joined by Ilford North MP Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who praised the opportunities we’re offering local people.

Our apprentices work in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles, learning on the job while gaining nationally recognised qualifications. 

Since our last graduation, 142 have completed their apprenticeships and many more are continuing to train with us.

The event recognised exceptional work across the Trust, with Speech and Language Therapist Maria Papadaki named Apprentice of the Year.

Lisa Mattholie, a senior manager in the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU), was awarded Manager of the Year, and the Radiology team took home Team of the Year.

We spoke to a few of our apprentices to find out more about their experiences.

Abiola Oladotun-Mutair (pictured) is a Medical Recruitment Adviser who joined us in 2022.

She completed her Level 3 Data Technician apprenticeship last year and now uses the data and digital skills she developed, including improved Excel skills, in her day-to-day role.

Jagbir Singh Sarkaria completed his Nursing Associate apprenticeship last year after starting the programme in June 2023.

He began his NHS career eight years ago as a Porter before progressing to a Healthcare Assistant role in 2019 and now works as a Nursing Associate in the Outpatients department at Queen’s.

He said: “I really enjoyed the apprenticeship and it helped me understand more about the procedures patients were having and their conditions.”

Khalid Haque is a Consultant Geriatrician working on Beech Frailty Ward at King George Hospital and at the Ageing Well Centre, part of St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hornchurch.

He completed an executive MBA apprenticeship with the Trust, which he began in 2020 and completed in 2025 after taking a break during the pandemic.

Khalid said: “The apprenticeship helped me develop my leadership and management skills alongside my clinical role, and I felt well supported throughout.”

Our apprenticeship programme has also been recognised nationally by NHS England. We have been awarded Gold by the 5% Club for the second-year running.

We now support apprenticeship training for other NHS trusts, including Barts Health, the Royal Free, and Lewisham and Greenwich.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and MP for Ilford North, said:

Apprenticeships are a great way to get into a career in the NHS and further your career in the NHS. BHRUT understands that, values and cherishes apprenticeships and I could just see from the moment I walked into the room, the pride and joy in their achievements.

We wouldn’t be making progress without these staff, apprentices and the whole team across the country.

Matthew Trainer, our Chief Executive, said:

It’s so important to support people with their learning and education, and talking to staff it shows just how much it means to them to have this recognition.

Nesil Caliskan, MP for Barking, said:

It was brilliant to meet with apprentices from all sorts of fields, from nursing to admin teams. Our local trust is fantastic, it’s pioneering when it comes to apprenticeships with the 5% Club.

What a fantastic path to go down, supporting our NHS, gaining qualifications and being part of a vital workforce bringing change to the NHS and making it fit for the future.