George Eliot Hospital is setting the gold standard for the next generation of NHS staff after being awarded top-level accreditation for its work experience provisions.
Fair Train, a charity promoting high quality, work-based learning, set up the Work Experience Quality Standard so businesses and organisations could demonstrate their excellence in providing placements.
This month the George Eliot Hospital applied for Silver accreditation, and was pleased to be told that they had exceeded expectations to achieve Gold, demonstrating the Trust recognises the value of high-quality work experience and employability provision, and strives to raise achievement among learners.
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this accreditation,” said Sarah Newton, the Trust’s apprenticeship and work experience manager.
“As one of the area’s largest employers we believe it is vital to deliver this essential contribution to our society and local economy. We ensure that anyone taking part in placements get a real sense of what it is like to work in the NHS and are, therefore, more employable or better positioned to apply for university courses.
“Providing work experience and apprenticeships is essential to our workforce development and we’ve benefitted from the support our learners have been able to give us.”
As part of its provisions the George Eliot Hospital Trust offers clinical and non-clinical work experience placements for candidates aged 16+, runs workshops for small groups of candidates who are interested in specific careers and runs clinical taster days for year 10 and 11 students to take part in practical clinical skills.
The hospital also visit local schools and colleges to answer questions about NHS careers and job roles for candidates interested in the NHS, offer functional skills development for candidates who do not have the necessary grades, as well as mock interviews and application form filling sessions.
One of the people to benefit from one of the schemes was would-be paramedic Lauren White, who completed work experience with the hospital on an eight-week rotation in a variety of departments.
“After completing a couple weeks of work experience at George Elliot Hospital, it was very insightful and gave me a deeper understanding of some of the roles they undertake,” she said.
“Most patients don’t see the paperwork behind the professions whereas I was lucky enough to oversee the different aspects of their role. I’m hoping to pursue a Paramedic career and my work experience has made me more aware of the roles I will be carrying out on a day-to-day basis.”
To find out more about how to take part in work experience and the opportunities offered at the George Eliot Hospital visit: http://www.geh.nhs.uk/working-with-us/work-experience/.
