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Reid launches new NHS recruitment drive

  • Published date:
    23 September 2004

NHS Job Shop Day focuses for the first time on the over 50s

A new nationwide drive to recruit the NHS staff of the future was launched today by Health Secretary John Reid.

NHS Job Shop Day comprises 220 events taking place around the country on or around 23 September.  Around 150 Jobcentres across England will also be holding special NHS events on 23 September as part of NHS Job Shop Day.

For the first time the recruitment drive will target the over 50s and those who may be considering changing their career in later life.

The drive comes on the back of the NHS being named last week as one of the top employers in the country.  The Times Top 100 Graduate Careers Survey listed the NHS in fifth place - up from ninth last year and 27th in 2002.

Record numbers of staff are already joining the NHS.  Since 1997, more than 77,000 new nurses and more than 19,000 new doctors have joined the NHS.

To mark NHS Job Shop Day, NHS Careers is launching two exciting new websites - Experience Matters and Bright Futures - detailing a whole range of careers across the NHS but particularly designed to appeal to two distinct groups.

Experience Matters is aimed at older people who could bring their existing skills into the NHS while Bright Futures targets young people including school leavers and graduates.  Both sites feature a variety of stories from people currently working in the NHS that will inspire visitors to the sites to consider joining the team.

Health Secretary John Reid said:

'There's never been a better time to work in the NHS.

'The NHS can offer great careers both for young people and those with more experience, with jobs that fit around people's lives and provide fantastic development potential.

'NHS Job Shop Day enables people of all ages and experience to meet and talk to local staff face-to-face about their careers, and about the benefits of working in today's NHS, such as flexible working and training opportunities.

'The new websites provide extremely useful information to two groups of people who are vital to the NHS.  Young people, who will form the backbone of the NHS workforce in the years to come, and older people, whose skills, talent and life experience could make a difference now as new members of NHS teams around the country.'

'Bright Futures' (www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/brightfutures) goes live to celebrate NHS Careers National Job Shop Day on 23 September, whilst 'Experience Matters' (www.nhs.uk/careers/experiencematters) will go live one week later on 8 October.

Notes to editor

2. Details of locations, dates and times of all the Job Shop events are available at the NHS Careers website or by calling 0845 60 60 655.

3.  For further information on 'Bright Futures' or the National Job Shop campaign, please contact: Beverley Bailey on 0208 870 4301 or email bev.bailey@uk.com

Interviews with any of the case studies featured on 'Bright Futures' are available to the media.  Contact Beverley Bailey for further details.

4.  More information about the two new websites:

BRIGHT FUTURES - WHAT COULD THE FUTURE HOLD?

Launching 23rd September

In a few years time, any of the young visitors to the new site could be working at the cutting edge of healthcare science or helping people cope with injuries, disabilities or emotional problems through their work as one of the many different kinds of therapists.  Nursing also offers a hugely varied and rewarding career whether nursing adults or children, or those with mental health and learning disabilities.

But crucially, there are less well known roles for technicians, managers, IT and health informatics specialists, even electricians and plumbers, and the new site illustrates such careers through a variety of stories from young NHS staff.

There's not much one can do outside the NHS that one couldn't do inside it - and whatever the young workforce of the future choose, they'll be part of the thousands of teams of people helping others to get back on their feet.

One of the stories on the new microsite features Dan English, aged 17, who is an Apprentice Joiner at Mid-Staffordshire General Hospital.

He explains, 'I'm currently one year into a three year Joinery Course at my local college.  A while ago I was told about a possible position that was open for an Apprentice Joiner at the Mid-Staffordshire General.  I contacted them and was offered the job.  I hadn't thought about working in a hospital before, but obviously, the NHS will always need specialist craftsmen to keep the infrastructure working efficiently.

'The course I'm on at college is mostly practical, teaching the key skills I'll need in the future, but it's good to be able to get experience of being in a proper working environment as well.  I'm really enjoying working at the hospital, everyone is really friendly, helpful and supportive and I'm learning more all the time.

'I work all over the hospital, constructing shelving, fixing locks and doors and so on - there's always plenty to do and it's a very nice environment work in, whether in the work shop or around the hospital wards.  I'd definitely like to stay on after I've qualified, and am looking forward to a great future in my chosen career.'

EXPERIENCE MATTERS - IN THE NHS, YOUR AGE COUNTS FOR YOU, NOT AGAINST YOU

Launching 8th October

The new 'Experience Matters' microsite is aimed at people who may be considering changing their job or career later in life, using or adapting their current skills in order to work within the NHS.  The site illustrates that it is not just former healthcare professionals who can have a rewarding career back in the NHS, but also people who have a trade, or those who have worked in a variety of roles in the private sector.

Take John Garner, now a Medical Physics Department Technician at the Leicester Royal Infirmary.  As he explains, 'I had spent 30 years as a service engineer working on office equipment, mainly photocopiers and fax machines. A car accident caused me to spend 5 weeks in the Leicester Royal Infirmary orthopaedic department. Soon after I returned to work, my employer suggested I take an early retirement as the service force was about to be downsized. So, at 53, I was unemployed, with a pension that just about supported my wife and myself.

'After 3 years of doing very little, I saw an advert in the local paper for a part time technician in the Medical Physics Department at the hospital that repaired my injuries so well. 'Ideal job for me' I thought, but, I was now 56. 'Would they give me a chance?' 'Will my experience be suitable?' 'Will my old qualifications be acceptable?' I applied, got an interview, and was delighted to be offered the job.  Seven years later, I am still working here at the Infirmary. I enjoy the work, the company of my younger colleagues, the feeling of doing a valuable job, and the flexibility that has been allowed in my working hours.'

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