Vicki is based within the Estates Team and has played an important role in championing the ambulance service’s sustainability initiatives using a data-driven approach. Baltic says her nomination stood out from the crowd due to her significant impact beyond her immediate team, alongside the outstanding professional development she has shown.

Her line manager and Environmental Sustainability Officer, Karen Aquilera nominated her for the award, saying: “Vicki has been invaluable since day one at NWAS. Her enthusiasm, commitment and passion for the environment shines through in everything she does. It’s been wonderful to watch Vicki’s knowledge, self-confidence and skills develop over the past year.

The commitments to ‘off the job’ learning have helped broaden the scope of Vicki’s knowledge and workload, helping her consider the world beyond data management.

“Vicki has been contributing to our staff education and engagement, running projects independently and informing and contributing to the development of trust strategies. Overall, she has provided extensive value to the team and our work to tackle the climate emergency.

Vicki, who is currently completing her Level 3 Data Technician apprenticeship, told us, “I’m thrilled to have received the apprentice of the year award and so thankful to the team at Baltic for choosing my nomination. I joined NWAS following redundancy with a previous employer and couldn’t have asked for a better start to my time within the Sustainability Team. I’m lucky to be part of a dedicated team who have not only supported and pushed me but trusted and encouraged me to complete tasks I didn’t think I’d be doing within an apprenticeship role.

“I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and being able to use the skills I’ve developed with Baltic to ensure our data benefits the Trust.”

From Baltic Apprenticeships, Vicki’s learning mentor Alex Borthwick said: “Victoria is the apprentice we always hope for; determined to achieve her best, never afraid to ask questions, always on the lookout for chances to learn, and passionate about the work that she does. It is a pleasure to see her knowledge and skills progress throughout the apprenticeship and to see the impact this is having on her achievements within her job.”

You can read more about Vicki’s award here.