Greengrocer’s NHS Apprenticeship

A former greengrocer has shared how an NHS apprenticeship “truly changed” his life, setting him on the path to becoming a nurse.

Steven Jewell, 42, who left school at 15 without any qualifications, has recently completed the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship and now works at Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Steven’s journey, from owning a greengrocer shop to joining the NHS as a healthcare support worker and eventually starting his apprenticeship, is a testament to the transformative power of these opportunities.

The NHS, being the nation’s largest trainer of apprentices, saw more than 20,000 individuals start apprenticeships last year. These apprenticeships are integral to the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, with NHS England aiming to triple the number of apprentices by 2030, ensuring they constitute over one in five new recruits.

Steven said, “Without the apprenticeship, I would never have been able to attend university or be in the position I am today. At nearly 40, the opportunity to earn a salary while pursuing a degree-level course with blended work-based learning truly changed my life. The apprentice route enabled me to transition from greengrocer to registered mental health nurse in just over four years. I am now in a job I love, helping others and improving my own life. Don’t ever think you are too old or not smart enough. Apprenticeships offer equal opportunities to everyone, allowing us to change our life course – we just have to want it.”

Apprenticeships provide entry into over 350 NHS careers, allowing individuals to “earn while they learn” without the need for a prior university degree. This includes various higher or degree apprenticeships, such as those in nursing. The upcoming Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship pilot, the first of its kind globally, will launch this year with three Higher Education Institutes, aiming to attract a broader range of candidates to medicine.

NHS apprenticeships also encompass entry-level roles, including support staff, helping employers draw talent from local communities and ensuring people from diverse backgrounds have access to rewarding careers. With a growing focus on digital apprenticeships, opportunities in tech roles such as Data Technician to Artificial Intelligence Data Specialist are also expanding.

Professor Mark Radford, Director of Long Term Workforce Plan Delivery and Education, and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at NHS England, emphasized, “Apprentices are central to our Long Term Workforce Plan, ensuring sustainable staffing and improved patient care. Apprenticeships not only attract new talent but also develop the existing workforce’s skills. Our ambition is to expand apprenticeships, offering alternative routes to careers such as nursing and Allied Health Professions. Starting in 2025, young people will be able to apply for apprenticeships through UCAS alongside traditional degree programmes.”

Health Minister Andrew Stephenson highlighted, “The NHS has become the nation’s top trainer of apprentices, with over 20,000 starts last year, demonstrating the value placed on a career in health services. Apprentices are a crucial part of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. We are dedicated to enhancing clinical staff training through apprenticeships, driving long-term improvements for a brighter future. The introduction of the groundbreaking Medical Doctor Degree Apprenticeship will further widen participation from under-represented backgrounds, inspiring more people to pursue their dreams while earning as they learn.”

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education Robert Halfon added, “The NHS addresses the nation’s health needs daily, and apprenticeships are essential for equipping the health service with the necessary staff. NHS England is one of our Top 100 apprentice employers, embracing both apprenticeships and T Levels to cultivate skilled healthcare workers. Apprenticeships enable individuals from all backgrounds to climb the ladder of opportunity, and it’s excellent news that the NHS plans to have one in five employees as apprentices by 2030. The NHS effectively utilizes the apprenticeship levy, and I hope more employers follow their lead and experience the benefits of apprentices for themselves.”

Jennifer Coupland, Chief Executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE), noted, “It’s wonderful to see so many people benefiting from world-class apprenticeships designed by employers. They are popular nationwide and encompass a wide variety of occupations.”

For more information on NHS apprenticeships, please visit here.

Steven’s Story

Leaving school at 15 without any GCSEs, Steven Jewell spent his early years working in a fruit and vegetable warehouse and various other jobs, including Asda, Home Bargains, a bakery, a butcher’s, a casino, a fishmonger’s, pizza shops, and takeaways. Feeling unfulfilled in these roles, Steven opened his own greengrocer shop, which he ran for two years.

Still seeking something more rewarding, Steven sold his shop and applied for a healthcare support worker position at The Harbour in Blackpool, part of Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Despite initial doubts due to his lack of experience in health and care, Steven found his true calling and was inspired to advance his skills further. Supported by his peers and managers, he completed a Trainee Nursing Associate course followed by the Registered Nursing Degree Apprenticeship.

Steven and his daughter Stevie-Leigh, who graduated as a Registered Mental Health Nurse around the same time, both work at The Harbour now. Inspired by each other, they share a drive to help others, fueled by their own experiences with mental health challenges.

Steven reflects, “Without the apprenticeship, I would never have been able to attend university or achieve my current position. At nearly 40, the opportunity to earn a salary while pursuing a degree-level course with work-based learning changed my life. I went from greengrocer to registered mental health nurse in just over four years, and now I love my job, helping others and improving my own life. Don’t ever think you are too old or not smart enough. Apprenticeships provide equal opportunities for everyone, enabling us to change our life course – we just have to want it.”