After a successful virtual open event hosted by our Widening Participation team, future Healthcare Assistants have begun our exciting Pre-Employment Programme.
Twenty-seven interested candidates attended the open event on 22nd January, having all of their questions answered by Widening Participation Tutor, Olivia Dymond, and members of our Human Resources Team.
Having learnt all about our enriching Pre-Employment Programme, 23 candidates signed up and began their journey with The Health Academy on 1st February.
The 8 week programme will support candidates in gaining the experience to propel them into a successful career in healthcare.
It is aimed at those who are interested in a career in healthcare, but feel they are lacking the necessary knowledge, experience or qualifications.
The programme is designed to provide all of this, and prepare candidates for a career as a Healthcare Assistant.
Healthcare Assistants help to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible, caring for them under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Becoming a Healthcare Assistant is an excellent stepping stone into many NHS Careers.
Our Widening Participation Team support these aspiring Healthcare workers throughout their work experience at LTHTr, where they will experience everything from working on the ward to virtual zoom teaching sessions.
This will cover part of the Care Certificate that every Healthcare Assistant is required to complete as well as some additional learning around employability skills, CV writing and even getting the chance to study their functional skills in Maths & English if they don’t already have the existing qualifications.
This unparalleled work experience opportunity aims to provide candidates with all of the valuable employability skills they will need for working in Healthcare.
Widening Participation Tutor, Olivia Dymond, said:
“The students have settled into the Healthcare Assistants pre-employment programme like ducks to water, they are getting really stuck in!
“They are getting real experience on the wards that shows them exactly what a Healthcare Assistants role is.
“The programme is perfect for anyone who is unemployed and wants to go into healthcare as they are expected to be present every day for 8 weeks in order to be guaranteed a job, but due to the current climate we do also have some individuals who have been furloughed and have the time to dedicate to the programme.
“I am so proud of the candidates so far and can’t wait to see them fulfil their dreams of becoming Healthcare professionals.”
We are incredibly proud of the hard work our Widening Participation Team have put in to be able to continue delivering programmes like this, whilst also supporting the wider Trust in their efforts against COVID-19.
Our next intake for this programme will be sooner than you think so please do keep an eye on our social media channels for updates!
Find out more about a career as a Healthcare Assistant here.
