Telford College has launched a new apprenticeship for healthcare support workers, providing a stepping stone to a career in the NHS and social care sectors.
The one-year programme is the latest part of the college’s commitment to help ease recruitment pressures and plug skills gaps across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, working closely with hospitals and other providers.
The college’s healthcare support worker apprentices are based in a live clinical environment, such as a hospital ward, where they work under the supervision of qualified staff.
For their studies, they attend the clinical skills centre at Telford College’s Wellington campus, which recreates a working environment with facilities such as a four-bed hospital ward and interactive mannikins.
The first 15 apprentices, from a range of different backgrounds, started a two-week induction at the college this week before beginning their roles at either the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital or Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
Sarah Davies, director of health and science at Telford College, said: “This new apprenticeship teaches people how to deliver high-quality patient care, developing knowledge and skills to contribute to compassionate care.
“This first intake is specifically aimed at hospital roles, but we are looking to expand this in future to include the social care sector too. If anyone is interested, we have n ow begun enrolling for the next intake.
“We’re very keen to hear from social care providers who are interested in taking on apprentices to meet their workforce demands, so we can work together with them.”
It is the latest in a series of new apprenticeships launched by Telford College, which now offers more than 20 pathways from accounting and automotive to business, IT, construction, early years, childcare, and advanced manufacturing.
The college is currently working with nearly 500 apprentices. Highlights over the past few months have included:
- 92% of construction groundworker apprentices passing their exams first time, with nearly a quarter gaining distinctions
- A first-time pass rate of over 90% for highways apprentices, with 45% gaining a distinction.
Chris Field, business development manager at the college, said: “Apprenticeships are real jobs – a chance to gain valuable qualifications alongside real-world work experience.
“With an apprenticeship, you’re on a clear career route. There’s a plan in place and a pathway for you to take, and you’ll earn your salary from your very first day on the job.
“Apprenticeships have evolved and expanded significantly in recent years; these days it’s possible to do an apprenticeship in pretty much anything, at any age.”
Telford College is the largest apprenticeship provider in the region in specialist areas such as groundworks and highway maintenance, where it works with companies all over the country.
