Pharmacy Apprentices shine on their journey to qualified roles
16 January 2026
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (ShropCom) is proud to celebrate the achievements of its pharmacy apprentices, who have successfully completed key milestones in their training and are now making a vital contribution to patient care across the county.
The ShropCom Pharmacy apprenticeship programme provides hands-on experience and academic learning, enabling participants to develop the skills and confidence needed to deliver safe and effective pharmacy services across a variety of clinical settings.
The ShropCom Pharmacy apprenticeship programme provides hands-on experience and academic learning, enabling participants to develop the skills and confidence needed to deliver safe and effective pharmacy services across a variety of clinical settings.
Two of the cohorts’ shining stars have now been appointed as Pharmacy Technicians. They were drawn to completing their apprenticeships with ShropCom due to the variety of training environments available, including: community pharmacy, Virtual Wards, care homes and prison healthcare, all of which provided a breadth and wealth of real time work experience. This was a huge pull for qualified apprentice Shannon Holmes, who is now working as a Pharmacy Technician on Virtual Wards.
After 20 years in retail, fellow apprentice, Jo Norton, wanted to follow her dream by pursuing a role in Pharmacy. However, she was worried going back to college would mean she wouldn’t be able to cover her financial commitments. The ShropCom apprenticeship scheme enables candidates to learn and earn at the same time, making it possible for Jo to make her longed for career change.
Jo Norton, Pharmacy Technician for the Care Homes Team at ShropCom, says:
“It was amazing that the ShropCom apprenticeship allowed me to learn by doing the actual job rather than just in a classroom. Being able to work whilst training eased any of my worries and has allowed me to follow my dreams.
“I would advise anyone like me considering a change into healthcare, to go for it! The support is fantastic, the teams are all wonderful and the opportunity has been life changing.”
The ShropCom apprenticeship initiative supports the NHS Long Term Plan by investing in workforce development and creating career pathways for local people.
Susan Watkins, Chief Pharmacist and Controlled Drug Accountable Officer at ShropCom, says:
“I am absolutely delighted with the success of our pharmacy apprenticeship programme, as it has empowered our team with fresh talent and enthusiasm, driving positive outcomes across the organisation. The programme’s achievements have truly strengthened our commitment to professional development.”
Shannon Holmes, Pharmacy Technician at ShropCom, says:
“The ShropCom apprenticeship scheme offered a fantastic opportunity to trial different areas of pharmacy so I could understand what area suited my skill set best. It also gave me the opportunity to get to know all the individual teams and has enabled me to progress my career – something which I am really grateful for.”After 20 years in retail, fellow apprentice, Jo Norton, wanted to follow her dream by pursuing a role in Pharmacy. However, she was worried going back to college would mean she wouldn’t be able to cover her financial commitments. The ShropCom apprenticeship scheme enables candidates to learn and earn at the same time, making it possible for Jo to make her longed for career change.
Jo Norton, Pharmacy Technician for the Care Homes Team at ShropCom, says:
“It was amazing that the ShropCom apprenticeship allowed me to learn by doing the actual job rather than just in a classroom. Being able to work whilst training eased any of my worries and has allowed me to follow my dreams.
“I would advise anyone like me considering a change into healthcare, to go for it! The support is fantastic, the teams are all wonderful and the opportunity has been life changing.”
The ShropCom apprenticeship initiative supports the NHS Long Term Plan by investing in workforce development and creating career pathways for local people.
Susan Watkins, Chief Pharmacist and Controlled Drug Accountable Officer at ShropCom, says:
“I am absolutely delighted with the success of our pharmacy apprenticeship programme, as it has empowered our team with fresh talent and enthusiasm, driving positive outcomes across the organisation. The programme’s achievements have truly strengthened our commitment to professional development.”
Page last reviewed: 29 September 2021
Next review due: 30 September 2025