Rhian Carruthers beat more than 40 nominees to win the south west title

A healthcare assistant at Seaton Hospital was victorious in the South West Health Apprenticeship Awards.

Rhian Carruthers beat more than 40 nominees to win the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year (Level 2) category, at Holiday Inn, Taunton.

The fifth annual awards were organised by Health Education South West, Skills for Health and the National Apprenticeship Service.

The awards tied in with National Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals and employers.

Richard Daulton, employer and delivery services manager for the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “Rhian’s award is testimony not only to her apprenticeship achievement but also to the notable impact she has made within the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

“Apprenticeships are proving to be a really practical and appealing way of recruiting and supporting the development of staff across a growing number of functions and departments of the trust.”

Darryn Allcorn, director of workforce and development for the trust, said: “We are very proud of Rhian for her individual achievements and were delighted to receive further recognition for our apprenticeship programme.

“Apprenticeships offer an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain on-the-job experience, develop skills and see how different departments work together in a large and complex organisation.”