Aaron Tebano, a member of the Community Learning Disability Team at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been named Apprentice of the Year at the University of Winchester’s awards.
He won the award for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship Standard.
Aaron joined the NHS in 2021 as Associate Practitioner for the North and West Hampshire Community Learning Disability Team. He began the nursing degree apprenticeship in September 2022.
The Trust supports staff progression through apprenticeships, which are a key part of building a sustainable workforce and developing future clinicians.
Reflecting on receiving the award, Aaron said: “The award means quite a lot to me, it is recognition for the hard work that I have put into the apprenticeship. I have really enjoyed my time on the apprenticeship and have taken every opportunity offered to me as well as learning how to be a Learning Disability Nurse.”
The award ceremony took place during National Apprenticeship Week to recognise and celebrate the achievements of current and recently graduated apprentices.
“However, I honestly can’t say that it has all been me, I’m part of an amazing cohort of nursing apprentices who would each deserve to be awarded for different reasons. We have all worked incredibly hard to get to where we are and I don’t think we could have done it without the support from our tutors, the Uni and our employers,” Aaron added.
The Nursing Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Winchester allows individuals to become a registered nurse after completing a three to four-year course.
Jim Cole, Community Learning Disability Charge Nurse for North and West Hampshire Community Learning Disability Team, said: “I am so delighted that Aaron has been awarded the University of Winchester Nursing Apprentice of the Year 2025. This is so well deserved and reflects the positivity, enthusiasm and professionalism Aaron has demonstrated throughout his nurse training and working with us in our Nursing team.
“Aaron has several accolades under his belt already including publishing his own work and developing a toolkit to help patients and carers manage menopausal symptoms. I wish Aaron the very best during the rest of his apprenticeship and beyond as a newly qualified and registered Learning Disability Nurse.”
