Apprentice: Rosie Hercek
Employer: NHS – Digital Notts (Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System)
Programme: Operations/Departmental Manager – Level 5

When Rosie began her apprenticeship with DBC Training, she was eager to enhance her leadership skills and strengthen her career prospects within the NHS. Having set herself the personal and professional goal of continuing her academic development, Rosie saw the apprenticeship as the ideal opportunity to achieve a recognised qualification while applying her learning directly to her role.

“Enrolling in the apprenticeship provided a valuable opportunity to gain a highly recognised qualification, while applying new approaches directly to my work.”

Aligning with Career Aspirations
The Level 5 Leadership & Management apprenticeship proved to be the perfect fit for Rosie’s career ambitions. She was able to put theory into practice immediately, refining her management style and gaining confidence in areas where she had less experience.
The apprenticeship helped Rosie progress into a new role as Project and Business Change Manager, where she now leads digital transformation initiatives and manages a team of project support and administration officers.
“Completing a work-based apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to refine my management style, build confidence, and secure a promotion during my studies.”

New Skills and Knowledge
Throughout the apprenticeship, Rosie gained valuable leadership insights, particularly around emotional intelligence, self-awareness, empathy, and relationship-building. These skills not only enhanced her approach to management but also improved the support she provides to colleagues.
“Developing emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills has been essential to my growth as a leader. I now feel more confident and able to contribute more meaningfully to my team and organisation.”

Future Goals
Rosie is committed to continuing her leadership journey, with ambitions to coach and mentor others within the NHS. By sharing the knowledge and experience gained through her apprenticeship, she hopes to inspire and guide colleagues in their own career progression.

Experience with DBC Training
“Working with DBC was straightforward and supportive. The tutors were experts in their field and made the learning experience engaging, accessible, and tailored to individual needs.”

Advice to Future Apprentices
Rosie encourages anyone considering an apprenticeship to take the leap. She explained that apprenticeships provide a flexible and practical way to gain a recognised qualification while applying learning directly to real-world work situations. For her, it was the perfect way to build confidence, develop professionally, and open up new opportunities; “It’s a great way to build confidence, develop professionally, and open up new opportunities.”

Employer Feedback
Rosie’s line manager has seen a direct impact on the organisation:
“The skills and knowledge Rosie has learnt through the apprenticeship are being demonstrated daily, which is very rewarding to see. It has grown her confidence, enhanced her leadership, and benefitted our succession planning. We would recommend apprenticeships as an excellent way to retain and develop talent without losing staff from their roles. Studying the apprenticeship has certainly helped to grow Rosie’s confidence in her leadership capabilities, which the organisation is now benefitting from.”

Impact on the NHS
Rosie’s apprenticeship journey highlights how work-based learning can directly support the NHS by strengthening leadership within teams, supporting digital transformation projects, and retaining talented staff. Her story demonstrates the value of apprenticeships in building confidence, developing future leaders, and ensuring staff are able to pass on their knowledge and mentoring to others. By choosing apprenticeships, NHS organisations can invest in their people, build stronger teams, and deliver better outcomes for patients and staff alike.

DBC Training is proud to support NHS staff like Rosie through flexible, high-quality apprenticeship programmes. Click here to find out more about our dedicated pathways via the Spark Academy – https://dbc-training.co.uk/spark-academy/