Ten years ago The Princes Trust recognised the need to attract a younger and more diverse workforce and this has been at the heart of their partnership with Health Education England, NHS Trusts, social care providers, facilities management contractors and healthcare organisations across the East of England.
The partnerships bring together the expertise of The Prince’s Trust, in developing the confidence and life skills of young people from different and often challenging backgrounds, with industry experts who deliver specific skills training.
Together they have delivered over one hundred pre-employment training programmes. These have resulted in 768 individuals gaining a job and starting a career in health and social care. Over one thousand young people have completed health and social care courses over the past 10 years and over 60 per cent have secured a job.
Two inspiring young Oaks Hospital employees received a special invitation from The Princes Trust to speak at a celebration event being held at the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. The celebration was to mark 10 years since the first ‘Get into Healthcare’ programme in the East of England and emphasising a long track record of partnerships with Health Education England, NHS Trusts and other Healthcare Organisations.
Heather Sykes and Christine Tipping spoke individually in front of a large audience about their remarkable career journey’s at Oaks Hospital which started from a work experience placement as part of a Princes Trust Get into Healthcare’ programme. Heather is now a Physiotherapy Technician working as part of the Physiotherapy Team and Christine, (Ramsay Apprentice of the Year) is currently studying for a BSc (Higher Apprenticeship) in Adult Nursing.
Amy Simpson, Oaks Hospital Director said, ‘I have been so impressed by the way Christine and Heather have grabbed every opportunity to advance their knowledge and careers through the Ramsay Apprentice programme! We now have a new group of Apprentices at Oaks Hospital who will hopefully follow in Christine and Heather’s footsteps and take advantage of the wonderful programmes Ramsay offers’.