This week we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week.
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026 is the 18th annual celebration of apprenticeships
The week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to celebrate the value, benefit and opportunity that they bring.
Over the years we have employed many apprentices across a variety of departments and levels. A lot of them continue to work at Barnsley Facilities Services to this day!
Please see below the shout outs received from colleagues who work with apprentices
Shout out to Alfie Rollin from Jayne Swift
Alfie is just at the start of his apprenticeship journey; he has been in Decon from September and is working hard to gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete his level 2 Health care science award whilst also learning the technical side of Decontamination. He is off to a flying start and is already a well valued member of the Team. Well done, Alfie.
Shout out to Lilly Hawley from Jayne Swift
Lilly has been with us in Decon for just under a year and in that time, she has proved to be a valuable member of the team. She is working hard to ensure her coursework is completed on time and to a high standard, this technical knowledge is providing a solid base for her practical work within the department. She always receives positive feedback from her college tutor and peers on both days and evening shifts, and is well on the way to pass her level 2 healthcare science apprenticeship. Well done Lilly – keep up the good work.
Shout out to Natasha Esberger from Admin Team
Natasha is a great asset to the Estates Admin Team, and the team truly appreciates her day-to-day support. Over the last month, Natasha has joined the Helpdesk Team on a six-month secondment and is doing extremely well. She has adapted quickly to the new challenges within the office and continues to excel in her role.
Well done, Tasha — keep up the fantastic work!
Shout out to Olivia Jessop from BFS Team
From the very start of Olivia’s apprenticeship, she has consistently gone above and beyond her training requirements, making a meaningful contribution to both the HR team and the wider organisation. She plays a key role in inducting new apprentices and work experience students, helping them feel welcomed, supported and confident as they begin their journey within the organisation. Olivia actively supports our operational workforce by assisting with eLearning access and annual leave requests, ensuring colleagues are able to complete mandatory training and manage their leave smoothly and efficiently. More recently, she has taken the initiative to begin delivering our induction presentation to new starters, demonstrating both confidence and a strong understanding of our organisation’s values, processes and expectations.
In addition to this, she has taken full ownership of administrative and advertising responsibilities for our wellbeing team. Her organisation and attention to detail have ensured wellbeing initiatives are well-promoted and accessible to staff, helping to embed a positive culture of health and support across the organisation. She has also demonstrated a high level of professionalism and trustworthiness through completing minute-taking for sensitive HR meetings, handling confidential information with care and maturity beyond her level of experience.
Her communication skills are excellent; she is approachable, quick-witted and always positive, which makes her a pleasure to work with and a strong ambassador for both HR and apprenticeships. She keeps staff noticeboards up to date, engaging and informative, ensuring key messages are communicated clearly and creatively.
Throughout her apprenticeship, she has shown a genuine willingness to learn, consistently putting her learning into practice and actively developing her skills. Olivia approaches her role with enthusiasm, compassion and a can-do attitude, always with a smile on her face, and is highly organised and reliable.
This apprenticeship has clearly had a positive impact on her confidence, professional development and sense of purpose, and in turn she has had a significant impact on her team and the wider organisation. Olivia is a true champion for her role, her organisation and for apprenticeships, and is a shining example of the bright future of our workforce.
Shout out to Scott McGougan from BFS Team
Starting as a youth trainee in 1996, the Scott initially pursued a path in IT, working in the nascent Computer Section and then the Department of Information. After a brief and unsuccessful placement in HR at Kendray Hospital, he found his niche in the Receipts & Distribution department, quickly securing an “As & When” contract. Subsequently, he transitioned to Procurement, a related department, before a permanent position opened up in Receipts & Distribution in 1998. Scott has remained in this role for 28 years, expressing continued satisfaction and gratitude for the career foundation provided by the initial training, highlighting it as a great start with ample opportunities for progression.
