Mature student who works at Basildon Hospital awarded Apprentice of the Year
A pharmacy technician is thrilled to have been awarded Apprentice of the Year, showing it is never too late to change career.
Allison Charles, who works in the aseptic pharmacy at Basildon Hospital, started her apprenticeship in 2018 and has received the award from West Suffolk College for going above and beyond in her work life and studies.
She had previously worked in a pre-school but saw the apprenticeship in pharmacy and knew she wanted to change career direction.
The 47-year-old from Basildon, said: “The pharmacy is something close to my heart as my daughter has to have specialist medicine for intestinal failure, and the unit at the hospital helps create it. She has been a patient since 2006 and with this role, I feel like I am actually giving something back to the community with my job.”
Allison is pleased that all her extra hours of hard work and commitment has been recognised in this way, and also wanted to thank the pharmacy team for their support.
She said: “The team at the pharmacy are really supportive; if there is something in my studies I don’t understand, they are always happy to help.”
The Apprentice of the Year award will be presented to Allison at a ceremony at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds on February 11.