Spotlight on Talent – David Langley

Studied – Level 2 and Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship Standard
Progression – Education and Training Lead, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Heartlands Hospital 

Working as an apprentice in a hospital setting really can take you in a variety of career directions as David Langley can testify.  His career so far has seen him complete a two-year Apprenticeship, become a ward-based pharmacy technician at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and now is their education and training lead.

Not only does he oversee the training and development of around 10 apprentices, he also works closely with the team of vocational coaches at Walsall College who guided him through his own qualifications.

David sees this as an advantage that allows him to share his experiences, understand how the Apprenticeship Standard qualification has developed in recent years and share full insights about the training taking place around him.

“I do liaise closely with Joanne, my former assessor and others from the college about how my trainees are progressing,” said David. “We talk through their progress reviews and targets so that everyone achieves to the best of their ability.”

David’s role progression came naturally to him after he first started giving ward tours to new apprentices and then became a mentor.

“I found I enjoyed training people and helping others needing guidance,” he said.  “So when this position came available I decided to go for it.”

To support him in his new role, David completed an ACT course followed by in-house CPPE leadership for change and supervisory courses and mentor training.

“I am open to continuing my learning as a lot of the role is still new to me,” continued David.  “However, my knowledge of the standard is up to date and I can see how it has become more in-depth and arguably more challenging as a qualification.  This is a good thing as it helps these apprentices become better future technicians.”

While David is now in a position he hadn’t initially expected to be in, he appreciates it is his Apprenticeship that has taken him all the way here.

“An Apprenticeship gives you the foundation to go into an industry of your choosing and go at your own career pace,” he said.  “It’s why I’d encourage anyone to take this job and training route, especially in a hospital setting.  The real life, work ready competencies that form your qualification benefit you in so many ways.

“And there are endless opportunities to take up when you’re ready for them.  So if you work hard, achieve as much as you can and take as much as you can from your work environment then you will be rewarded.”