Estates apprentice in line for prestigious national award

A project management apprentice with Solent NHS Estates and Facilities is in the running for a prestigious national award.

Rochelle Sampson-Clarke, described as professional and passionate, is a finalist in the apprentice of the year category of Our Health Heroes, which celebrate real people at the heart of our healthcare system.

Colleagues and members of the public are urged to show their support for Rochelle by casting a vote for her in the awards, helping to determine if she ends up with a gold, silver or bronze prize.

Rochelle joined Solent NHS Trust in 2019 and was part of the organisation’s first intake of project management degree apprentices, working in the projects team within Estates.

Judges said in just over three years, Rochelle had made a tremendous impact at the Trust, despite having no prior project management experience.

Nicola White, Apprenticeship Manager, who nominated Rochelle for the award, said: “Rochelle gives her all to every project, recognising that often it is the small details that can have the most impact.

“An example of this was when she produced a welcome sign in Makaton for one of our children’s centres in Southampton. This bespoke signage was an immediate hit with young patients and their families.”

Not content with the challenge of a degree, Rochelle also recently completed a personal development leadership programme, giving her an opportunity to learn leadership techniques and people management skills.

As well as being a valued member of the Estates team, Rochelle plays an active role on the Association of Project Management’s Women in Project Management Committee, chairing a mental health and wellbeing sub-group.

Last year, she addressed 250 people at a Women in Project Management conference in London, and has also taken part in talks about both project management careers and apprenticeships to school children in Portsmouth.

Now in her final year, Rochelle has successfully managed the challenge of working full-time while studying and juggling family life, embracing the dual aspect of learning in the job and studying in the classroom that her apprenticeship has offered.

As a direct result of the work-based learning module within her project management degree, Rochelle has implemented lessons learned in the team and is developing a post project review questionnaire for end users to use to assess the project outcome.

Line manager Ben Meehan, Head of Estates Projects and Performance, said: “Rochelle shows a real willingness to learn and works collaboratively and respectfully with internal and external stakeholders.

“Rochelle is a superb ambassador for Solent NHS Estates and Facilities. She works incredibly hard and shows great passion, commitment and professionalism in everything she does.”

The Skills for Health 2023 Our Health Heroes Awards, sponsored by Unison, NHS England, NHS Employers and others, will take place at London’s QE2 Centre on June 7.

Supporters have until midnight on Tuesday 2 May 2023 to cast a vote for Rochelle at  www.skillsforhealth.org.uk/awards/vote

 

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