Jessica O'ConnorYouth Employment UK and NHS England have announced the launch of a new NHS, Health and Science Careers Hub, designed to give young people free access to advice and guidance on the wide range of careers available in the health service.
The initiative is backed by organisations including City & Guilds, Gateway Qualifications, NCFE, NOCN Group and OAL, and aims to strengthen the future talent pipeline across both clinical and non-clinical roles.
An NHS England spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be working with Youth Employment UK and our esteemed sponsors on this exciting project to ensure that NHS Careers Advice & Guidance is free and accessible to all young people, particularly those from underserved communities or schools without dedicated careers support.
“With 350 careers available in the NHS, we recognise we need to engage the future talent pipeline to meet our workforce needs.”
The Hub features real apprentice stories, information on required skills and pathways, and practical resources to help students understand career opportunities across the NHS.
Youth Employment UK has also introduced a new “Explore Careers in…” course, which allows students to virtually explore roles within the health service. The course includes tailored workbooks for Key Stage 3 and 4 learners.
David Gallagher, chief executive of NCFE, said: “As a specialist awarding organisation in health and social care, we understand the complexity of roles in the NHS and the need for greater awareness of vocational pathways.
“We must help more young people to take their first steps towards a rewarding career and address the ever-increasing demand for NHS services.”
Fabienne Bailey, CEO of Gateway Qualifications, added: “We’re proud to support this initiative, which helps young people explore the careers available in the NHS, where demand is high and opportunities are diverse.
“By building their confidence and skills, we’re investing in a future workforce that is skilled, informed and motivated to make a difference.”
