New drive to encourage young people into NHS jobs

The benefits of working for the NHS are to be promoted to school pupils as part of a new campaign.

Secondary school teachers and career advisers now have access to a resource pack developed by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) so they can inform young people about the range of careers available.

The pack includes lesson plans and a guide to the varying jobs on offer within the NHS.

The resource pack can be used in classrooms, at parents’ evenings, at careers events and in job centres.

NHS staff who are careers ambassadors can also use the information when visiting schools, giving presentations or attending careers events.

The pack was developed following the Scottish Government’s Developing the Young Workforce: Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy, which set out the need for stronger partnerships between employers and education and highlighted the need to raise awareness of careers by engaging with young people.

Sheena Greco, principal educator for workforce at NES, said: “The NHS offers an amazing range of careers, much wider than the doctor and nurse roles that people normally think of. From IT professionals to speech therapists, from electricians to chefs, there are hugely rewarding roles for all interests.

“We want tomorrow’s workforce to be aware of what the NHS can offer them. That’s why NES is taking forward a number of workstreams in the area of youth engagement and employment which will help parents, pupils, teachers and careers advisers to find out about the careers available in healthcare.

“We have created a careers resource pack to help address any knowledge gaps about NHS job roles, careers, entry requirements and education pathways.”

 Dorothy Wright, director of workforce at NES, added: “NHS Scotland welcomes young people and we are delighted to share this new resource which raises awareness of the many and diverse career opportunities we have to offer.”