More than 150 budding healthcare professionals have secured NHS employment thanks to a programme which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT).
A celebration event was held by The Prince’s Trust at RWT to mark the milestone anniversary, with a special visit from the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach.
More than 20 graduates attended the event, with some speaking about their backgrounds before employment and the experiences both RWT and The Prince’s Trust have given them.
The Prince's Trust provides 16 to 30-year-olds with free training courses, mentoring, and funding to help them find a job in healthcare.
A total of 91 per cent of young people who have completed the course at RWT have received a job offer.
Caitlin Green, 24, Healthcare Assistant from Wolverhampton, was an unemployed single parent and struggled with her finances. Since completing the programme, she has now been able to rent a house, creating security for her daughter, while achieving her dream.
She said: “I remember walking past New Cross Hospital thinking: “One day I will work there. I thought the goal was too far away, however, and my dream didn’t feel realistic. I really struggled to provide for me and my daughter, but I always found a way. Then, the Prince’s Trust came along and gave me this amazing opportunity.
“Now, I walk to the hospital employed, ready to work with amazing people and help patients within the community. My dream has been achieved.”
Kyle Hayward, Porter at RWT, attended the event to speak about his experience of being unemployed before the programme and said joining the programme was “the best decision ever”.
Councillor Leach said: “It has been an honour to attend this celebration and it makes me proud to be Mayor of such a great and caring city.
“Hearing from young people who have secured employment through the Prince’s Trust fills me with pride, especially with them giving back to fantastic healthcare services within the region.
“I hope they continue to inspire the next generation with their immense courage to share their journey.
“Here’s to another 10 years of The Prince’s Trust working with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to create further success stories.”
The course runs for five weeks and includes a mixture of classroom-based training such as communication skills, team building, interview skills and resilience, alongside hands on work experience in wards and departments.
Jason Wright, Health and Social Care Service Delivery Manager at The Prince’s Trust, said: “For many of the young people we’ve supported, working in the NHS has been a dream, but one that faced hurdles due to low confidence, poor mental health or a lack of employment skills.
“We actively work with each young person to overcome these challenges so that they can benefit from the independence and optimism securing meaningful employment provides.
“This has been a crucial partnership to provide young people in Wolverhampton with job opportunities and the chance to achieve their potential, particularly at a time when we know they are disproportionately affected by unemployment.
“We look forward to continuing this work for many years to come, providing young people with the chance to feel positive about their future.”
The next programme is due to start at the end of September 2024, please visit the Princes Trust website or call 0800 842 842.
