Bender and global healthcare company GSK have collaborated to fund a higher-level apprenticeship at Bender UK.
Sophie Hill, 21 joined Bender UK in 2016 as Business Administration Apprentice. She completed her Level 3 in Business Administration with Furness College and spent time training throughout the business in administration, marketing, finance, projects and also spent time at the German Headquarters via the Erasmus overseas programme. During her time at the headquarters Sophie looked at manufacturing processes, how projects are run, and looking at future products to bring to the UK such as modular hospital technology.
In October 2019, Sophie progressed into the role of Trainee Project Manager and on 21st September, Sophie commenced studies at the University of Cumbria to complete a Project Management Degree.
Sophie’s academic training will comprise of both studies and work placed learning, consisting of 1 day a week of lectures, 20% off the job training, plus study time. She will attend lectures at University and online due to COVID. In year 4 Sophie will complete a work-based project and end point assessment.
In 2020 GSK Ulverston launched its new apprentice programme with the aim of supporting the local community developing local talent and creating opportunities in the Ulverston area. Part of this commitment is to widen GSK Ulverston’s current apprentice scheme to include talent from local businesses who currently do not have a scheme in place. So this was a perfect opportunity to welcome Sophie onto the scheme.
Sophie said: “I am grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to developing my role and learning new aspects of Project Management that I can bring to the company and the Hospital Projects department. I hope to be able to help improve and streamline our processes and systems to the benefit of Bender UK.
I have been involved with projects for two years, so I want to gain confidence and have a better understanding of the role of all our stakeholders. This is an exciting time for my personal, academic and professional development. In the future I aim to be a fully qualified and experienced Project Manager at Bender UK”.
Andy Allan (Early Talent Programme Manager) at GSK said: “It’s fantastic that GSK are able to support Bender. This is likely to be the first of many collaborations, not just with Bender UK, but other businesses and organisations in the local area too. GSK wants to remain a real influence on promoting and supporting the development of talent. Utilising our apprenticeship scheme to open up opportunities for other businesses is something we want to build on year after year”.
Lisa Hudson said: “I am delighted we can work collaboratively with the GSK team in Ulverston. Andy has been very supportive and proactive since our early discussions of working together. We are grateful that GSK have allowed us to benefit from their apprenticeship programme”.