National Apprenticeship Week 2023 - Apprenticeship Q&A with Asha Beestin

8 February 2023

Name: Asha Beestin 

Job role: Pre-registration Pharmacy Technician

CSU: Pharmacy 

What apprenticeship are you doing/have you done?

I have previously done an Level 2 Apprenticeship in Pharmacy services  and I am now currently doing a Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship at Leeds Teaching Hospitals?

I was a Ward Housekeeper at the Trust with no relevant qualifications to progress. 

The Trust funded my apprenticeship and are very supportive with study time and helping you complete the courses. 

What are the benefits of doing an apprenticeship and why would you recommend it to others?

The level 2 apprenticeship helped me get started in the pharmacy world and the level 3 apprenticeship is helping me start a career and become a pharmacy professional.

While you are learning academically you are also learning on the job, this allows you to have a better learning experience and gives you more confidence when you qualify and officially begin your role.

I am just about to finish my apprenticeship and I feel like I have learnt a great deal and have grown as a person during the past 2 years.

What difference does this apprenticeship make?

Apprenticeships give development opportunities to individuals that may not have access to these opportunities otherwise.

Once completed, it allows individuals to be more professionally involved with patient care and this improves the quality of care patients receive from the Trust.

Do you have any advice for anyone interested in this apprenticeship?

Stick to deadlines of the coursework and work hard.