Young people on the Isle of Wight are starting great careers with the NHS as part of a collaboration between the Island’s NHS Trust and local training provider HTP Apprenticeship College.
Eleven young people aged between 16 and 18 are now employed thanks to a brand-new training and recruitment programme.
Devised by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and HTP Apprenticeship College, the trailblazing partnership is delivering real jobs for young Islanders and aiding recruitment for the NHS. Young people join the NHS as trainees and after 6 months progress to full salaried employment as an apprentice.
Launched in September last year, the programme has reached a key milestone with formal contracts of employment for the first cohort of young people, who have now progressed from their traineeship to official contracts of employment.
Longson: An exciting time for the Island’s NHS
Nicola Longson, Director of Operations Community explains,
“We’ve worked closely with HTP Apprenticeship College to deliver our careers for young people programme as part of our ‘grow your own’ initiative.
“It’s an exciting time for the Island’s NHS, developing and nurturing careers for young people. We have many vacancies within the Trust, and we wanted to reach out to the Island’s community. We share a commitment with HTP, and it was important for the Trust to work with a local training provider.
“Together we have developed a programme which is really making a difference.”
Next cohort of school leavers
Recruitment is already underway for the next cohort of school leavers, who will join the programme in September. During their initial traineeship placements, young people gain skills and knowledge in healthcare support and business support services.
They get to observe practitioners at work, learning the importance of each area of the NHS. They spend time in a range of primary and community settings under the guidance of some of the most experienced healthcare professionals. With more than 150 different careers available in the NHS, the programme is opening new opportunities for young people.
Randall: Delivering jobs and providing opportunity for Island school leavers
Working with the NHS has been a huge success and is the foundation of a successful partnership. Rachael Randall, HTP Apprenticeship College’s Founder and Principal.
“Seeing our first cohort of young people progressing to apprenticeships and employment with the NHS is a real moment.
“This rolling programme is delivering jobs and providing opportunity for Island school leavers to start rewarding careers. It proves again that apprenticeships are a great alternative to sixth form or traditional college.
“The scheme also offers access to Higher Education qualifications in the future, such as a Degree Apprenticeships.”
Next stage
The first cohort of NHS apprentices will now spend the next 18 months learning skills in their chosen course.
Most of their learning will take place on-site within the Trust, as well as at HTP’s Riverbank Campus in Newport. They will gain hands on experience and a nationally recognised qualifications while earning a salary.
News shared by Isle of Wight NHS Trust, in their own words. Ed
