HCPC launches search for its next Council Apprentices: could it be you?

This is a scheme very close to my heart. Having launched at the height of the pandemic in 2020, we have now welcomed four apprentices through our doors, each offering their own unique insight and suggestions to help shape the Council’s strategy and policy decisions.

The apprenticeship scheme has two key aims. First, to provide an opportunity for individuals to gain boardroom experience and skills as a member of the HCPC’s highest-level decision-making group. And secondly, to enhance the quality of our deliberations and decisions by broadening the diversity of opinion, backgrounds and experience.

As a Council Apprentice, you will take part in all our Council meetings and related activity. You will also get involved in our Audit and Risk Assurance, as well as the work of our Committees, to maximise transferable governance experience.

This is a unique opportunity to be mentored by senior Council members and to engage in discussions and decisions on important public interest matters, and I look forward to welcoming our new Council Apprentices. I know that they will play a crucial role over the coming year by enhancing the range of perspectives around our board table.

Nicola Hunt, HCPC Council Apprentice from January - December 2021 and Chair of London Ambulance Service (LAS) Women’s Network:

“The HCPC Council Apprenticeship was a fantastic experience which challenged my previous assumptions about who got to sit on a board and gave me the confidence not only to join LAS Women’s Network, but to become its Chair.

Every member of the board gave their time, listened carefully to my views and wanted to understand my story. I was given a mentor to help navigate the process, which helped me make the most of the opportunity. I would encourage anyone who is considering applying for these posts to put themselves forward.”

Heeral Davda, current HCPC Council Apprentice and Clinic Manager, Principal Speech & Language Therapist at a London NHS Trust:

“Being a Council Apprentice has helped me to understand more about how important decisions are made, which impact on the professions which the HCPC regulates, and the patients and service users it protects.

I have been involved in shaping key policies and procedures in a wide range of different areas, from improvements to the fitness to practise process to enabling greater understanding of the EDI issues faced by many registrants. This has been a unique experience which will no doubt shape my future career.”

Applications for this year’s Council Apprenticeship roles will close on Monday 19 December 2022.