People Story

Nathan’s Story: Building Confidence and Skills Through an Apprenticeship

Patient Ambassador Nathan shares how completing a Level 3 Team Leader and Supervisor apprenticeship alongside his role at James Cook University Hospital helped him develop practical management skills, build confidence and strengthen his team.

After moving from a Domestic role into management, Nathan wanted to develop the skills and confidence to succeed in his new position. His Level 3 Team Leader and Supervisor apprenticeship has given him the opportunity to learn alongside his role at James Cook University Hospital – and put that learning into practice every day.

“I was originally a Domestic and promoted this role, so I didn't have much experience being a manager,” Nathan explains. “So I thought if I could do the apprenticeship, then I'd gain a few skills that could help me in my role.”
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 Learning alongside his day job meant Nathan could put new skills and techniques into practice straight away, seeing what worked in his role and adapting his approach as he went.

His advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to keep learning manageable and make it part of your everyday work: “If you find a new technique, try it out. Try it out on your work day. If it sticks, it sticks. If it doesn't, it doesn't.”

That practical approach has been an important part of Nathan's experience. The apprenticeship has introduced him to new techniques that he can use in his role, from project management to communication.

“I believe the apprenticeship has given me the tools and techniques I needed to work more efficiently,” he says.

"In three words, I'd describe the experience as... practical, rewarding and confidence building."

Nathan
Patient Ambassador, James Cook University Hospital
One of the biggest lessons Nathan has taken from the apprenticeship is the importance of active listening and emotional intelligence. For him, these skills have had a noticeable impact on his relationship with his team.

“I think this has brought me and my team closer together,” he says. “We've opened up more, which in turn stops problems in the future.”

Putting new ideas into practice across a busy hospital hasn't always been straightforward. Nathan says one of the biggest challenges has been bringing colleagues along with him as he introduced new ways of working.

“The most challenging part of the apprenticeship has been trying to incorporate all the new tools and techniques into everyday running of the hospital and getting people to go along with them.”

But he says colleagues across the hospital have been supportive, from service managers through to the domestic team. That has given Nathan the opportunity to keep experimenting with what he's learning and find approaches that work for him and his team.

One tool that has particularly stood out is the Gantt chart, which Nathan uses to organise projects and keep track of what needs to happen.

“It pretty much just organises your project for you. You know what you're doing from day-to-day, what your goals are.”

"Understanding how to use a Gantt chart's probably been one of my biggest takeaways from the apprenticeship."

Nathan
Patient Ambassador, James Cook University Hospital
“I didn't really have any preconceptions before I began. Didn't know what to expect going in.” Looking back, he's pleased he took the opportunity to develop his skills alongside his role.

“I'm happy with how it all went. And my personal tutor couldn't have made things any more enjoyable.”

For Nathan, the experience has ultimately been about continuing to learn, finding practical ways to improve how he works and becoming more confident in his role. “It was just great all-round experience, really,” he says.

And his advice to anyone thinking about taking their own next step through an apprenticeship? “Do it little and often.”

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