“Remarkable” NHS Futures Team highly commended
Date of release: 19 December 2024
A Wolverhampton team that helps unemployed people into healthcare careers has been highly commended and described as “remarkable” by national awards judges.
The NHS Futures Team
The NHS Futures Team at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) was recognised in the category of Best Early Careers Strategy at the HR Magazine Excellence Awards, as one of seven organisations shortlisted.
The four-strong team gives people the opportunity to explore the 350 different roles at RWT, through three programmes – DiscoverMyNHS, ExploreMyNHS and ChooseMyNHS. The programmes also saves money on recruitment for the Trust.
Discover is a four-day course for 14-16 year-olds. Explore is work experience for those 16-plus, who spend up to a week shadowing someone. Choose is a five or six-week programme for people on work-related benefits or not in education or training, typically aged 18-30.
In 2023, the team ran five employment programmes, and 54 out of 71 of those who completed a course were taken on.
Both judges declared RWT was extremely close to winning, saying: “This initiative has achieved impressive results, particularly in enhancing diversity and improving the prospects of individuals.
“It has successfully brought more people into the sector, with a significant impact on roles and career advancement.
“The strategy, which reached 19,000 employees, aimed to position the NHS as an employer of choice in the Black Country.
“It has made a significant difference in both recruitment and cultural fit.
“The programme’s success in saving time and money through its recruitment model has been remarkable.”
Cat Lisseman, Head of Corporate Learning Services at RWT, said: “We are exceptionally proud of the team for its continued efforts into attracting the next generation of talent into the NHS.
“The team has such a positive impact on the local community, so it’s excellent to see the staff recognised at a national level against global organisations.”
Olivia Durkin, 21, Registered Midwife at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, fulfilled her dream after coming through two NHS Futures programmes at New Cross Hospital.
The NHS Futures Team at the awards event
“I first attended an NHS Futures programme at 15. It gave me the opportunity of two weeks in a clinical maternity setting which allowed me to see the role first hand.
“By the end of the programme, my career path was confirmed, and speaking now as a Midwife, I look back at what I gained from this and cannot thank the team enough, but also for any individual completing the programmes.
“Six other students who attended the same programme have gone on to a career in healthcare, which highlights how valuable and successful these programmes are.
“The team has followed me through university, supporting when needed and contacted me to present a module on Maternity to a group of aspiring NHS workers. I was honoured to accept and give back to the team that did so much for me.
“This commendation recognises the hard work and commitment to inspiring a workforce of young people enthusiastic about healthcare and the team’s acknowledgment that an opportunity can spark a life-long career.”
Of those who completed the post-Discover survey this year, 100 per cent said the experience met their expectations and rated the overall experience excellent or good
During the 2023-24 school year, 336 completed the Discover (96) and Explore (240) programmes.
From April 2023 to March 2024, the team offered 84 places on the Choose programme, with 59 (70 per cent) of those completing the programme. Of those who finished, 51 (86 per cent) were offered employment.
Data for 2023-24 shows:- 349 young people aged 24 or under completed a work experience programme, and 265 (63 per cent) were from an ethnic minority
- 240 (57 per cent) were living in some of the most deprived areas of the UK and 39 (76 per cent) of those offered employment had previously been out of work, or working 16 hours or less
- Of 240 places on Explore, 154 (65 per cent) were offered to young people who aspire to be Doctors and Nurses but had no personal connections in the NHS.
ENDS
- For further information, please call Tim Nash on 07714 741097 or email tim.nash2@nhs.net
