Raunak Roy is a 17-year-old from North London, who completed his GCSEs at Ashmole Academy and joined the NHS Royal Free Trust as an apprentice after his year 12 exams.
Raunak was attracted towards working for the UK public sector after a work experience at the Greater London Authority. He has strong analytical skills and is proficient in robotics, computer programming and working with data. Raunak is passionate about the local government, mergers and acquisitions and business development. He spends his free time playing golf and basketball and is an advanced skier. Raunak lives with his parents in Southgate, London.
He spoke to Asian Voice about his apprenticeship and why more South Asians must sign up for it.
What inspired you to pursue an NHS apprenticeship, and how did you navigate any cultural perceptions within the South Asian community regarding this career path?
The NHS apprenticeship originally inspired me due to the on-the-job learning and the practical element. It has allowed me to expand my knowledge on a wide range of areas within my sector and will continue to do so throughout my apprenticeship. It allows me to gain valuable work experience, which is impossible through traditional education pathways. My parents were very open and supportive, although this pathway was very new to them and a very unexpected turn from A levels; they supported me throughout this process. My school, Ashmole Academy, in particular my sixth-form teachers, helped explain the pathway to me and my parents, and this opportunity within the NHS was identified and sent to me by my biology teacher. Some family and friends were quite sceptical, as this is a very new approach to learning, especially at this critical age, and the rest of our community is pursuing traditional pathways via A levels and university education. My family is a member of a few community groups, and we are socially active within the South Asian community, especially the West Bengal Bengali community. This is an entirely new concept for most parents known to me, and I think it will take time for this pathway to become more popular.
In your experience, how common is it for South Asian individuals to choose NHS apprenticeships, and what do you think are the main barriers preventing more people from considering this option?
In my experience, it is extremely rare for someone in the South Asian community to choose apprenticeships as an approach to learning. Based on government statistics, the entire Asian community accounts for only 7% of total apprenticeships (www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk). Although the number has increased from 2.5% to 7% in the last decade, it is a minuscule number. In my opinion, the main barriers are how someone doing an apprenticeship will be perceived by the community, as traditionally, the 'accepted' route to success is traditional degree and professional education, e.g., chartered accountancy, medicine, and/or engineering. Another barrier is the lack of examples of people pursuing apprenticeships within the community. I hope that I can inspire more young people in our community to go down the path of apprenticeships.
Can you share some of the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through your apprenticeship that you believe are valuable for future careers in healthcare?
My apprenticeship is in business management. Within the very short period that I have worked in the NHS so far, I have been exposed to a variety of skills, from data analysis to mergers and acquisitions. There is a very structured learning pathway that has been provided, which will ensure that I develop a rounded understanding of not just healthcare management but general management, like leadership, strategy, marketing, and finance. These skills will allow me to be ahead of my peers when I start my professional career after completing my education.
What benefits do you see in promoting NHS apprenticeships within the South Asian community, and how do you think this could help address health disparities in the UK?
Apprenticeships have several benefits across the board. The main benefits are gaining invaluable work experience while gaining a standard education. An apprentice gets paid while learning and does not have to apply for a student loan. Most apprenticeships will also lead to a permanent position within the company. My apprenticeship at the NHS is a permanent role, which will allow me to continue within the NHS even after I finish my education. This takes away the immediate pressure of finding a job after finishing my education. The other benefit of the NHS is that I get to serve the community at large through the National Health Service and be a member of the UK public sector.
What advice would you give to young South Asians who might be hesitant to pursue an NHS apprenticeship, and how can community leaders support these individuals in their career choices?
A major benefit of an apprenticeship is financial. The average student loan in the UK in 2024 is £48,470, according to published figures. An apprenticeship will allow a young person to avoid taking a student loan and enable them to earn a living wage while getting a formal education. The work experience on top is invaluable because an apprentice will be ahead of their peers, as it makes them more employable. My advice to young South Asians will be to seriously consider applying for apprenticeships, not only in the NHS but in any sector of their choice. Community leaders should be more encouraging and willing to support this choice of career through knowledge-sharing workshops. I will be very willing to share my experience and encourage the current and younger generation to follow this path.
