Trust launches drive for future health workers

ONE of the biggest ever intakes of apprentices by any health organisation in England has been announced.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has launched a recruitment drive to appoint 50 new apprentices in the next few months.

They will join apprentices already employed as part of the trust’s plans to expand its scheme over the next two years. They will work in hospitals, community services and offices right across the Northumberland and North Tyneside areas.

It is also providing a unique programme to support young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs), offering them opportunities to work and gain experience without any formal qualifications through its ‘developing access to work with Northumbria’ programme.

NEETs are paid the same as apprentices and follow a 12-to-16-week programme at Northumbria Healthcare before joining an apprenticeship scheme with the trust.

Its chief executive Jim Mackey said: “Young people have a great deal to offer the NHS and we are absolutely committed to opening up more opportunities for young people to join our apprenticeship schemes in Northumberland and North Tyneside.

“Increasing access to work opportunities for young people is a real priority for us and becoming an apprentice is an excellent way of undertaking work-based learning, gaining hands-on experience and working towards a formal qualification in a supportive learning environment.”

The 50 new apprenticeship roles are at various levels including foundation, intermediate and advanced and include opportunities in health and social care, estates and facilities, domestic and housekeeping services, catering, portering, security and business administration.

There are no formal entry requirements for the positions, which will lead to formal qualifications.

For more information, call Davina Cooper on 0191 2031873 or email [email protected]