PathwayS for 16-18 year olds
Careers for young people on the Isle of Wight

Supporting you into entry level Health and Social Care careers

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Did you know there are more than 150 different careers available in the NHS on the Island?

Careers for Young People is an exciting, Award winning, two-year education programme across health and social care on the Isle of Wight.

Would you like a career in Healthcare or Business Support? Join our programme and you’ll work with some of the most experienced professionals in health and social care settings across the Island.

If you’re aged 16-18 and leaving school, or currently not working, this exciting course is a great alternative to 6th Form or College and can give you access to Higher Education qualifications in the future, such as a Degree Apprenticeship.

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, Isle of Wight Council, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, and Tower House GP Surgery, designed to give young people an entry path to a career within Health and Social Care.

The programme is comprised of a 6-month Pre-Apprenticeship, followed by an Apprenticeship for up to 18 months, with a range of rewarding careers on offer.

How can I get onto the programme?

Every year the CfYP and HTP Team attend careers events, including assemblies in schools, to promote the programme. Any young person who is interested is encouraged to fill out our quick enquiry form (or click the button above). We host selection days where learners are recruited based on NHS Care Values.

The Careers for Young People programme – Apply now for September.

Hear from members of the Careers for Young People programme Cohort 2

What will I learn?

During your initial Pre-Apprenticeship placements, you will gain skills and knowledge in Healthcare Support and Business Support 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.

 

Business Support Services: Administration, Customer Service and Support

Activities on Pre-apprenticeship placement will include a range of office duties (but are not limited to):

  • Making and answering phone calls about appointments and visits.
  • IT skills – creation of documents / posters / lists.
  • Printing / filing / scanning / laminating documents.
  • Checking departmental emails.
  • Addressing envelopes.
  • Creating Excel spreadsheets.
  • Data entry.
  • Tidying/sorting workplace environments.
  • Learn to manage electronic diaries.
  • Learn to use NHS electronic systems.
  • Meet, greet and provide assistance to visitors.

Since filming this video, Kaitlyn has won the 2025 Isle of Wight Radio Best in Business Awards ‘Apprentice of the Year’. You can read more about her amazing achievement here.

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.

Your Apprenticeship options are:

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 and guidance on accessing further relevant courses and training including Higher Education courses where appropriate, such as Degree Apprenticeships in Healthcare and Business.

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

HIOWH Logo
HIOWH Logo
HSJ Partnership Awards winner banner
Representatives for the Careers for Young People programme receiving the winner's award at the 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards

The Careers for Young People programme takes top spot at the 2025 HSJ Partnership Awards

On the Careers for Young People programme you will:

  • receive expert support, advice and guidance throughout.
  • achieve nationally-recognised qualifications.
  • study additional Maths, English qualifications if required.
  • get moving quickly! It’s a much faster way into work than a traditional college course.
  • get hands-on experience in a number of roles.
  • receive one-to-one tutorials.
  • receive career coaching and progression advice & guidance.
  • pay NO tuition fees.
  • receive £50 per week training allowance for the duration of the Pre-Apprenticeship.
Members of HTP NHS pathway programme first cohort

Members of the Careers for Young People programme

As a result of this programme…

80% of Cohort 1 learners are now in permanent roles within the NHS on the Island with others continuing to work in Care or moving onto Higher Education.

Essential information:

Entry Requirements
No formal entry requirements
Start Date
September
Location(s)
Most of your time will be spent in the workplace, and one of our campuses in Newport.
Course Length
24 months

Ready to apply? Questions?

Contact us and one of our Career Development advisors will be in touch.

email
[email protected]

Call
01983 824930

Ready to apply? Questions?

Contact us and one of our Career Development advisors will be in touch.

01983 533926
[email protected]