Lisa Shaw

Lisa Shaw was already working in NHS dental services as a lab assistant when she saw an advert offering staff the chance to apply for a Modern Apprenticeship.

She said, “I wanted to progress my career doing a hands on job because I found that I was skilled in that area. Opportunities and apprenticeships at the time seemed to be geared at school leavers but the modern apprenticeship was available to me in my mid-twenties.”

Lisa is a Prosthetics and Orthotics Technician and has just completed the Modern Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering through NESCol. Her role involves working at the hospital with patients who are fitted with prosthetics, orthotics or use manual and electric wheelchairs.

The Modern Apprenticeship allowed Lisa to return to education whilst still be able to support herself financially.

She explains, “As a mature student and a home owner I have been able to work and learn at the same time – if I had returned to full time education then I would have struggled financially. I came away from school with few qualifications and didn’t think that I would go back into education. I always wanted to, but never really had the confidence. This has shown me that I have a huge potential for learning and it’s given me more interest to pick up learning again in the future.”

Lisa finds her job hugely satisfying and is keen to build her knowledge in this area moving forward.

“You get to meet interesting people in the job because, as well as the mechanical side of my role, I get to meet the patients as I go out into the community repairing wheelchairs.

“Moving forward I would like to continue my training and specialise in Prosthetics and Orthotics, focusing on complex builds. I am really happy where I am and find it hugely satisfying.”