Did you know there are more than 350 different careers available in the NHS?

If you’re not working, or are looking to upskill in your current career, Careers for Young People is an exciting, award winning, 21-month education programme across Health & Social Care and Estates Services in the Portsmouth and Havant area.

Would you like a career in Healthcare or Estates Services? Join our programme and you’ll work with some of the most experienced professionals in Health and Social Care settings in Hampshire.

What does it involve?

The programme starts with a three-month Pre-Apprenticeship, undertaking work experience placements in Estates Services across Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare, followed by an Apprenticeship offering full-time, paid employment with full support at every stage.

Learn and work with the NHS

This careers programme is a unique collaboration between HTP Apprenticeship College, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, and is designed to give young people an entry path to a career within Health and Social Care settings.

How can I get onto the programme?

If you are interested, please fill out our enquiry form at the top of this page. We host selection days where learners are recruited based on NHS Care Values.

What will I learn?

During your initial Pre-Apprenticeship placements, you will gain skills and knowledge in Healthcare Support and Estates Services. At first you’ll observe practitioners at work, learning the importance of each area of Health & Social Care. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions before being able to take an active role yourself, with full support.

Healthcare Support: Community Care and Mental Health Services

Activities on Pre-Apprenticeship placement will include (but are not limited to):

• Washing, dressing and feeding patients where help is needed.
• Pampering – hair, nails etc.
• Helping to transfer or mobilise.
• Assisting with dressings, supporting limbs etc.
• Support activities: crafts, jigsaws, quizzes, bingo, singalong etc.
• Making beds and managing linen stores.
• Companionship – listening and communication skills – use of communication aids.
• Talking with patients while a clinician is busy/note writing etc.
• Finding / navigating to addresses for visits.
• Making and answering phone calls about appointments and visits.
• IT skills – creation of documents / posters / lists.
• Printing / filing / laminating documents.
• Tidying and sorting equipment/resource areas.
• Finding information or resources for staff or patients.

Estates Support Services: Catering, Business Administration  and Housekeeping

• Production Chef: Get experience of techniques for the preparation, assembly, cooking and presentation of food. You will also gain an understanding of food safety regulations, storage, stock rotation and how to adapt dishes to meet dietary, religious and allergenic needs.
• Customer Service/Retail: Begin to learn how to deliver excellent customer service in a range of situations including face to face, telephone, post, email, text and social media. Also gain experience in team working, personal organisation and dealing with conflict
• Business Administration: Begin to develop knowledge of the sector and learn a variety of practical and technical skills required to progress onto an Apprenticeship in a wide range of job roles. You will learn about working in a business environment, business culture and responsibility, communicating in a business environment and project management.

What comes next? An Apprenticeship!

Once you have successfully completed your Pre-Apprenticeship, you will progress to an Apprenticeship. Each programme is designed to take you to the next level of competence in your chosen career by giving you the new skills, knowledge and behaviours you’ll need to progress and succeed.

You’ll become a full-time member of staff with an official contract of employment. You’ll also earn a salary, along with holiday pay and other employment benefits.

As an Apprentice you will be supported to consider your next steps after your fixed-term contract, receiving support to apply for substantive posts within Health & Social Care settings and guidance on accessing further relevant courses and training including Higher Education courses where appropriate, such as Degree Apprenticeships in Healthcare and Estates.

This programme is a partnership between HTP Apprenticeship College, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.