In a healthcare system increasingly driven by data, professionals who can harness its potential are reshaping the way care is delivered, and operations are managed.
For Catherine, an Assistant Manager for Imperial Private Healthcare, and Sarah1, a Project Lead in Patient Management, embracing data-driven skills has reshaped their careers and contributed to meaningful improvements in their NHS roles.
As participants in Corndel’s Data-Driven Professional Level 3 programme, delivered in partnership with Imperial College Business School—ranked second in the world (QS, 2025)—Catherine and Sarah have not only developed technical skills but also gained the confidence and expertise needed to thrive in the data-centric healthcare environment.
Their stories illustrate how professional development initiatives like these empower individuals to drive innovation and deliver tangible benefits for organisations.
From Basics to Driving Strategic Impact
When Catherine was promoted to Assistant Manager, she recognised an opportunity to elevate her impact by enhancing her data skills. Before joining the programme, her familiarity with Excel was limited. Now, thanks to the training, she uses advanced tools like Pivot Tables to create automated reports that answer critical business questions.
"Prior to the course, I only knew the basics of Excel," Catherine shares. "Now, I am able to effectively pull reports from systems to answer business questions and to create reports. For example, I could identify the bed activity for a certain ward. I can do that using a VLOOKUP with Power Query if a visualisation is needed, and I can use Power BI to create that visualisation.”
This ability to quickly extract and interpret data has enabled Catherine to deliver timely insights that improve efficiency and patient care. She attributes much of her success to the programme’s personalised coaching.
“My expert coach adds workshops to our timetable, which we really appreciate because some of us don’t grasp elements of Excel and he persists that we do," she says. “He ensures that everyone understands at equal length and that no one gets left behind.”
For Catherine, the journey hasn’t just been about gaining technical skills; it has also strengthened her organisation and leadership abilities. “I’m enjoying the programme; it gives you character. It tests you as a person, your decisions, and especially how you organise your time and how you organise your work-life balance,” she reflects.
Streamlining Processes and Building Confidence
“I feel like I’ve really proven to myself that I can do it, I really feel a sense of accomplishment.”
For Sarah, whose work involves managing purchasing and administrative tasks, the programme has been a game-changer. Before starting, she found working with large datasets time-consuming and inefficient.
“I like a lot of Excel shortcuts, like flittering something basic. It saves you so much time,” Sarah explains. “Now I filter out the blanks and have a compact list, it’s just a lot easier to work with.”
The practical focus of the programme, combined with the personalised support of her tutor, has enabled Sarah to build skills that save her time and make her work more efficient. “I liked my tutor; I think she was really supportive. I was falling behind and she really helped me make a plan,” Sarah reflects. “I never felt like she was going to leave me submitting something that was wrong or something that wasn’t my best,” Sarah says.
With her newfound skills, she feels empowered to approach her tasks. “It’s built my confidence. I feel like I’ve really proven to myself that I can do it, I really feel a sense of accomplishment.” she adds.
Transforming Perspectives on Data Apprenticeships in Healthcare
"There’s often a misconception that apprenticeships are for beginners, but this programme offers real value at any stage in your career."
Catherine and Sarah’s experiences challenge outdated views of apprenticeships as being primarily for entry-level professionals. Catherine is quick to address this misconception.
"There’s often a misconception that apprenticeships are for beginners, but this programme offers real value at any stage in your career," she notes.
The skills she has developed are not just advancing her career but are also proving essential as healthcare becomes more reliant on data.
Sarah agrees, highlighting how the programme has expanded her perspective and improved her ability to collaborate across departments. “There was a lot of communication with some of the tasks I had to do,” she shares. “It helped me build better relationships with other departments and to put myself out there. That was the biggest thing for me.”
These stories demonstrate the versatility of data apprenticeships as a tool for career progression and organisational growth, regardless of professional seniority.
Creating a Data-Driven NHS
“I think having your manager’s support is a massive help, you’ll be able to do this apprenticeship.”
Both Catherine and Sarah credit the support of their NHS trust in helping them balance their studies with their work.
“I think having your manager’s support is a massive help, you’ll be able to do this apprenticeship,” Catherine advises.
As they continue their learning journeys, Catherine envisions taking on greater responsibilities in data analytics, while Sarah is excited about expanding her role into more strategic areas.
Their experiences show how professional development can empower individuals to meet the demands of an increasingly complex, data-driven healthcare system.
Building a Healthier Future with Data-Driven Professionals
1 Sarah is a pseudonym requested to protect her privacy.
Catherine and Sarah’s journeys demonstrate the profound impact of upskilling healthcare professionals in data literacy and leadership. Their stories show that apprenticeships are not just a stepping stone for early-career learners but a transformative opportunity for individuals at all levels to innovate, collaborate, and lead in an increasingly data-driven sector.
As the NHS faces ever-growing challenges, the ability to harness data effectively is no longer optional—it’s essential. By investing in data skills development, healthcare organisations can empower their workforce to drive better patient outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and shape a more resilient future. Catherine and Sarah are proof that continuous learning doesn’t just change careers—it changes lives, organisations, and drive patient outcomes.