YOUNG adults who have gained skills and experience from completing a traineeship in the health sector have had their success recognised alongside mentors and NHS staff.

Twelve learners aged 18 to 24 took part in the programme which was launched by Skills Training UK together with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Through combining a mixture of workplace and classroom training, learners have attained the knowledge and skills needed to work within an NHS environment.

This has included mental health training, learning to care, safeguarding, communicating with patients, ward boundaries, and NHS values.

They have also received qualifications in English and maths.

The first two weeks of the programme were provided at Skills Training UK’s Brighton centre and included direct training from NHS staff.

Under close supervision, the young adults then took part in a work placement to experience a number of roles and responsibilities.

These includedsupport worker on the wards, community patient care, patient administration, and working in the trust cafe.

The celebration event was hosted by Skills Training UK and attended by both learners and employers involved in the programme.

Many of the young adults have remained on the trust’s staff bank and are taking their next steps towards a career, which could include an apprenticeship.

Mark Melling, lead nurse at Mill View Hospital, part of Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, said: “We are determined to find and employ staff who have the right attitudes, values, and beliefs to provide outstanding care to the people we provide services to.

“With our trainees, we have found fabulous young people who we have employed, and we look forward to growing their careers.”

Callum Evans, 20, from Brighton, completed his placement in the cafe at Elm Grove in Brighton.

He said: “I’ve learnt a lot about effective communication with patients and have been improving my skills in catering.

“Following on from the traineeship I have now been placed on the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust staff bank and am interviewing for additional roles with my new-found experience.”

Skills Training UK will now run similar traineeships with the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust over the summer in Chichester and Brighton.

Michael Eaton, employer engagement lead at Skills Training UK, said: “The programme has been a great success and we are excited to replicate this in other areas.

“If any young adults aged 18-24 are interested in starting a career within the NHS, this could be the opportunity they need.”

To find out more about the traineeships, email Michael Eaton at michaeleaton@skillstraininguk.com or call 01273 567765.

Skills Training UK also offers dedicated apprenticeships for NHS trusts.