Health and social care is one of the most popular career choices among Year 11 students, according to a survey from the national body for careers education in England.
The NHS is the most desirable employer, coming ahead of Google, Apple and NASA, according to a questionnaire completed by 230,000 secondary students for the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC).
There are over 350 career pathways available across health and social care, from dentistry to optometry, pharmacy to occupational therapy and laboratory technicians. But young people commonly are aware only of doctors and nurses. Now different NHS employers, from hospitals, community trusts and primary care, are coming together to raise awareness of opportunities and revitalise work experience.
Employers in healthcare
Opportunities aren’t just within the NHS. Community healthcare is often provided by independent small businesses, such as dispensing opticians and pharmacies, or even bigger chains. It’s worth schools and colleges reaching out to local practices for speakers at careers assemblies, or opportunities for work experience.
The CEC has developed a modern work experience model for NHS employers to use, to enable varied and immersive workplace exposure. The West Midlands Combined Authority and Liverpool City Region are partnering with local NHS employers using this model to reshape their approaches to workplace experiences.
The pilots ensure young people have access to the skills and knowledge needed by the NHS as part of a flexible work experience offer totalling 10 days. The approach aims to build career knowledge and readiness. It helps to demystify the working environment for young people, tackling any fear of working in large organisations and buildings.
Immersive experiences
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust delivers a range of immersive experiences for young people – insight days for different specialities, including live streams from operating theatres and hands-on activities in their bespoke training centre. These feature birthing simulation equipment, interactive manikins, and laparoscopic surgery demonstrations.
The Inclusive Careers Project, from the Hull & East Yorkshire Careers Hub, provides tailored guidance for young people interested in health and care careers, including those in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and alternative provision settings. It leads to an immersive workplace experience, helping to connect classroom learning with real-world opportunities.
Teacher encounters
The South Yorkshire Careers Hub and Doncaster & Bassetlaw teaching hospitals, in partnership with two Sheffield universities, are delivering targeted Teacher Encounters that showcase behind-the-scenes careers such as technology and lab science. The programme aims to support up to 100 teachers by enhancing their knowledge and confidence in guiding students toward careers in health and care.
Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust also supports teacher encounters, giving classroom leaders firsthand experience of the healthcare workplace.
There are a world of opportunities available for young people in healthcare – much more than you might think. And NHS employers, large and small, are keen to work with local schools, colleges and alternative provision to find the next generation of healthcare professionals.
- To find out more, see careersandenterprise.co.uk or simply contact local healthcare employers. Don’t just focus on hospitals, reach out to local optical, dental or pharmacy practices to show young people a wider range of careers.