Employment success with NHS Work Academy

Thirteen local people have been employed in the NHS after undertaking a sector-based work academy programme with Rochdale Healthcare Alliance and Rochdale Training.

Administered by Jobcentre Plus, sector-based work academies can last up to six weeks, providing pre-employment training, work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview or help with an employer’s recruitment process.

This sector-based work academy was focused on helping people become part of a customer service or administration team within the NHS, offering excellent customer service to patients with a friendly face, and assisting patients with queries or appointments.

Roles were for 15 GP receptionists and 10 healthcare assistants across Greater Manchester.

Working towards a level 1 customer service qualification, the course attendees – ranging in age from 19 to 60 – completed their four-week pre-employment training and two-week work experience placement with Rochdale Health Alliance.

The course has supported 30 people with all learners offered an interview. Of these, 13 immediately progressed into full-time employment with Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Academy and across wider NHS settings. In-work training will include the level 2 Customer Service qualification with Rochdale Training.

One learner from the sector-based work academy said: “I started a sector-based work academy because of the chance of employment at the end of the course through the interviews set up with local GP surgeries. Rochdale Training has been amazing in helping me get back into work – thank you.”

Another learner said: “I suffer with zero self-confidence and have struggled to get back into work.

“On countless occasions, I would get to the interview stage but not get the job. This forced me to reflect and take baby steps in order to become more confident in my approach.

“When I found out about this job and thought to apply, I immediately found there was lots of support and help from the academy staff which reflected positivity and made me believe in myself and my abilities.”

Kelsey Hardman from Rochdale Jobcentre Plus said: “One of our main priorities is ensuring we are connecting local people to local jobs. DWP want to ensure that local people have the skills to meet demand and have access to opportunities available through Sector Based Work Academies.

“This is a fantastic result and it’s great to see so many people moving into employment through our strong partnership with Rochdale Training and HMR Primary Care Academy.

“We are extremely proud of the results achieved here and the dedication and commitment from the learners have been phenomenal, as well as watching them on this journey with such a rewarding outcome.”

Vicky Burgess, work and skills officer at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Working with local training providers who understand local needs and local businesses supports local people to move into local jobs.

“Working collaboratively brings results; Rochdale Training Association does exactly this and the results are great.”

Ruth Parton, pre-employment lead from HMR Primary Care Academy, said: “We choose to run sector-based work academies as it’s a great way to attract new staff to primary care and a rewarding career in the NHS.

“The calibre of learners demonstrates that our selection process for the training is effective.

“Everyone on our courses has a willingness to learn and it’s a privilege to support people on their career journey.”

Rochdale Healthcare Alliance has also just agreed their next cohorts for the GP and health care assistant roles, with plans to move into pharmaceutical and dental roles in the new year due to the level of success and outcomes.

This training has been made possible thanks to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, helping everybody gain skills for life and giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast-track to an interview with an employer.

In England, sector-based work academy programme training is fully funded through the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and delivered by further education colleges and training providers.

The training will enable participants to undertake units on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).

There is a new course starting in January 2024 in Bury and another in Rochdale soon after.

If you or someone you know would be interested, contact, Nathan Finn on 01706 631417 or email via: 

• nfinn@rochdaletraining.co.uk