Two staff at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital will be studying for a Foundation Degree in Hospital Engineering this coming autumn.
Ben Huband, Electrical trainee technician, and Mark Stedman, Mechanical trainee technician, are undertaking the qualification through Staffordshire University and Eastwood Park Training.
They are also completing an in-house trainee programme, facilitated by the Trust’s Estates Department, which outlines the core competencies required to be a hospital engineer. Simon Everett, Mechanical Estates officer, said: “The trainee technician roles were designed for two aspiring professionals who will learn and work towards leadership roles within the Trust. These roles are a brilliant opportunity for Ben and Mark to gain relevant experience, a qualification, and to work their way up the career ladder.”
Mark Stedman, who was already an employee at RJAH, said: “When I first heard about the trainee technician roles, I knew this was something I would be interested in. It felt like the right time to make a career move, so this was perfect for me.”
Simon Everett has already started studying for the qualification, and is coming towards the end of his first year. He said: “Completing this specific degree is beneficial, as hospital engineers need a much broader, deeper knowledge and skillset than any one single trade.”
I’m really enjoying my degree, and very grateful to the hospital for giving me the opportunity and support to do this.”
Lisa Slevin, Learning and Development manager at Eastwood Park, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming an additional two students from RJAH on our Hospital Engineering Foundation Degree this autumn. They clearly recognise the benefits of a two-year blended learning programme which is ideal for those who want to gain a qualification while continuing to work, plus it also has the potential of leading to a BSc (Hons) Management degree.”
