The leading independent provider of health and social care services has been shortlisted as a regional finalist for the South East, with the awards ceremony set to take place on Wednesday 1 October at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Woking.
The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards celebrate outstanding employers, apprentices, and champions who have demonstrated excellence in apprenticeship provision and skills development across England. Being shortlisted recognises Cygnet’s commitment to investing in its people and creating meaningful career pathways.
Cygnet, which offers a wide range of health and social care services for young people and adults with mental health needs, acquired brain injuries, eating disorders, autism and learning disabilities within the UK, launched its apprenticeship programme in 2017 to address workforce challenges in the health and social care sector and to create long-term opportunities for staff development.
At a time when recruitment and retention pressures are felt across the NHS and independent providers, Cygnet’s approach has been to build its own skilled, compassionate, and resilient workforce by investing directly in education and training.
Today, the programme offers 31 different apprenticeship streams across both clinical and non-clinical roles, from nursing, allied health and care, to business administration, HR, facilities, IT, marketing, finance and more. Delivered in partnership with 27 accredited learning providers, including the University of Birmingham and University College Birmingham, the programme caters to all levels, from entry-level to higher apprenticeships and leadership training.
Currently, 297 staff are undertaking apprenticeships, with more than 515 apprenticeships completed in the past five years. In 2024 alone, 180 colleagues enrolled in apprenticeships, a reflection of both demand and Cygnet’s commitment to expanding opportunities for learning and development.
The benefits of the programme are felt across the organisation. Apprentices gain real-world experience alongside their studies, applying new skills directly to care environments. Many go on to secure permanent positions, progress into senior roles, or retrain into new specialisms within Cygnet.
Charlotte, a Mental Health Support Worker at Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke and current Nursing Associate apprentice, shared her experience. She said: “The apprenticeship programme is an incredible initiative, not least because it makes you feel valued and invested in, but also empowers you to be a better version of yourself. I will be indebted to Cygnet for the rest of my career as without them, nursing would not have been possible for me. The programme has definitely developed my practical skills and has given me a greater understanding of inpatient care.”
Apprenticeships have helped to reduce turnover, improve retention, and build a pipeline of skilled professionals for hard-to-recruit roles. In 2024, Cygnet’s agency usage dropped from 12.1% to 7.8% and staff turnover reduced from 27.4% to 21.2%. By training and developing staff internally, Cygnet is able to tailor skills to its own high standards of care, ensuring continuity for service users and families.
Cygnet’s commitment to staff development has also been recognised more widely. In 2025, Cygnet was named one of the Financial Times’ 500 Best UK Employers, ranking in the top 200 nationally and ahead of many other health and social care providers.
Faye Malkin, Cygnet Group Training Manager (Apprenticeships), said: “We are delighted to have been named a finalist in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards. Our apprenticeship programme is a vital part of our workforce strategy, helping us attract, develop and retain the skilled and compassionate colleagues that make Cygnet what it is today.
“This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our apprentices, our teams, and our partners. By investing in our people, we are not only transforming careers but also strengthening the quality of care we deliver to service users every day.”
The winners of the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2025 will be announced at the South East regional ceremony on 1st October 2025.