It was a pleasure to welcome Jo - Clinical Apprenticeship Programme Manager from the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, who came to speak to our On Track 2 Work students, plus a few high level ESOL students.
Jo gave a general overview of the Trust, how it works and why it’s so important. She explained that the NHS is understaffed and definitely in need of young people like our students.
It was helpful for our students to learn about the massive operation behind every NHS hospital. Jo said, “Think of it like a hotel – somebody has to take care of the people, the food, the building, do the admin and the maintenance. It’s not just doctors and nurses, we need all sorts of people and we want to help you get to where you want to be.”
Jo highlighted the NHS's core values of compassion, communication, teamwork, respect, professionalism, and inclusion.
Several young people were surprised that the NHS offers apprenticeships in non-medical areas such as carpentry and tailored learning and career pathways. They asked questions like:
Do you need to have previous experience to apply for work experience or apprenticeships?
Jo said, 'no, no previous experience is required but you will need to have a certain level of functional skills or the equivalent, depending on what area you are looking to get into. The UHS NHS will also support and assist to get young people to level that they need to be.'
“Do I need to pay for apprenticeships?”
'No, they are fully funded AND you get paid – you will have to work hard and make sure that you show dedication and commitment to whatever area you decide to venture into.'
One student was very interested in looking into an apprenticeship in midwifery which our Careers Advisor and Voice and Participation Youth Worker will support them with.
Even though it was a small group, everyone was really engaged and Jo had a phenomenal wealth of information to share with students.