Here, we take a look at some of the ways that ICSs are responding to workforce challenges by launching recruitment drives, initiatives, and educational opportunities for those looking to begin their career in healthcare.
Launch of new apprenticeships in East Anglia
A new partnership in East Anglia is offering new apprenticeships for health and social careers, allowing learners to progress from level 2 – 7, or from GCSE right through to Master’s degree level, to help tackle identified gaps in the health and social care workforce on a local level and to provide progression opportunities for those looking to get into a career in healthcare.
The partnership will see the University of Suffolk, Suffolk New College, East Coast College and the College of West Anglia as the education providers, working with the Suffolk and North East Essex and Norfolk and Waveney integrated care systems. Apprenticeships include early years, nursing, paramedics, clinical associates, radiography, midwifery, and dental technicians, with plans to expand this to new apprenticeships in the next 18 months.
Mandi Syrett, project manager for CEHA, said: “I am incredibly excited to lead this partnership – I really believe in apprenticeships and how integral they are to helping address our health and social care workforce challenges. All of the partners have a really strong track record of developing learners to become career-ready in the health sector, and by having both employers and training providers on board with the Centre of Excellence we are putting learners in the best position possible to start and progress in their careers.”
East Midlands Ambulance Service remains committed to recruiting from armed forces
The East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has reaffirmed its commitment to continue working with the armed forces, sharing that since the service joined the Step Into Health Scheme in 2023 – providing a dedicated pathway for service personnel looking to move to a career in the NHS – 130 applications have been received from military personnel for various roles across the organisation.
Plans for moving in to 2024 include developing the Armed Forces Family staff network, recruiting service leavers, and continuing to engage with members of the armed forces community at events.
Kevin Thorne, senior HR advisor and armed forces lead at EMAS, commented that the support provided by the armed forces as part of the NHS response to the COVID pandemic “sparked an interest in many military personnel in pursuing a future career in the ambulance service when their military careers drew to a close. We know that military personnel hold a variety of transferrable skills that are considered absolutely vital to the ambulance service. EMAS recognises the contribution they can offer and actively encourages and supports job applications from service leavers.”
Military personnel former or current are guaranteed an interview with EMaS if they meet the essential criteria outlined in the job description, with Kevin adding, “We also support most requests for observation days so that individuals can learn more about specific roles and gain an insight into working with the ambulance service.”
Showcasing NHS careers in Essex
An NHS career showcase hosted by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust and Harlow College was held in January, inviting staff from the trusts to talk about their roles across healthcare support, IT, mental health, community health, pharmacy, business intelligence and administration.
Attendees were given the chance to try a range practical tasks that staff might undertake on a daily basis, so that they could see what type of role they might like to try. Workshops were also held on making job applications stand out and preparing for interviews.
Matt Cope, HR business partner at Essex Partnership, shared that the event “ran fantastically” and stated: “It was great working with our partners at Princess Alexandra Hospital and Harlow College. I don’t think I have seen so many people attend a career event like this before. We are hoping to collaborate again in the future.”
North East London NHS FT launches new recruitment video
The North East London NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new recruitment video, ‘We are NELFT’, showcasing a wide range of career opportunities available within the health and care workforce.
The video features health and care staff including nurses, doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, and corporate staff at all stages of their careers, and talks about the impact of their work with the local community.
To watch the video, please click here.
Simon Hart, director of people at NELFT, said: “We’re very excited to introduce this new recruitment video as part of our ongoing efforts to attract the best people to offer the best care in the communities we serve. Our people are fundamental to delivering outstanding services. By fostering a just and compassionate culture built on trust and transparency we aim for a workplace where everyone, who works here can feel empowered to help us deliver positive change for our patients.”
Collaboration sees launch of new nursing associates course in Salisbury
A collaboration between Wiltshire College and University Centre and Salisbury Hospital NHS Foundation Trust will see the launch of a new Nursing Associate Foundation Degree, approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, to start in September 2024.
Learners will have the opportunity to complete placements provided by Salisbury Hospital, with Salisbury chief nursing officer Judy Dyos calling it “incredibly exciting to see a fresh approach to nurse education in Salisbury. People living in the local area will now be able to train in the city, gain experience at the hospital, and go on to have a fulfilling career providing care to our local community.”
Judy continued: “This course is a positive step towards our wider aspirations of serving and supporting the local community with high quality education and employment. We look forward to welcoming the intake of new students for their work placements in the next academic year.”
Last week, we looked at the ways that organisations are embracing new ways of working and new care pathways to help manage increased demand.
