London South Bank University celebrates 200 nursing apprentices fighting Covid-19 on NHS frontline

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, London South Bank University (LSBU) is celebrating the contribution made by its 200 Nursing Associate apprentices to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, on the NHS frontline.

LSBU is a leading training provider of Nursing Associate apprentices for the NHS. Around 200 of LSBU’s nursing apprentice are currently enrolled on placements in 14 NHS hospitals and 12 GP practices, helping to combat the pandemic. LSBU is one of 26 national providers of nursing apprenticeships.

South Bank Colleges, part of the LSBU Group, will offer nursing and allied health apprenticeships in Occupational Therapy, Diagnostic Radiography and Therapeutic Radiography, from September 2021. As the sponsor University, LSBU will ensure the nursing and allied health apprenticeships are high quality and meet the needs of employers and apprentices.

Eleana Pieri, a second-year LSBU Nursing Associate Apprentice working at Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, said:

“For most of the past few months I have been based on a Great Ormond Street Hospital ward treating paediatric patients with coronavirus from across north and central London.

“This work experience has helped me realise that paediatric nursing is my ultimate goal. My plan for the future is to complete my Nursing Associate Apprenticeship at LSBU over the next year and continue my career at Great Ormond Street Hospital and become a registered nurse.”

Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at LSBU, said:

“LSBU is proud of the contribution made by our 200 Nursing Associates to fighting the pandemic on the frontline.

“As a major provider of healthcare apprentices for NHS trusts in London, LSBU is a proud sponsor of two new educational training facilities for healthcare students due to open in London this year, in Croydon.

“LSBU Group is working with employers, local communities and stakeholders to enroll 10,000 apprentices by 2025.”