Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation

It is one of the largest employers within Norfolk with a headcount of more than 7,000 and over 300 different career opportunities.

In the last two years, the Trust has supported the Prince’s Trust ‘Getting into Hospital Services’ programme aimed at offering those who have been long-term unemployed and aged between 16 – 25 years the opportunity to undertake a four-week development programme. The programme’s aim is not only to develop work-based skills, but to develop confi dence and self-esteem. A supervisor/mentor is identifi ed within the workplace and progress is monitored throughout the placement.

In addition, 15 young people aged between 17 - 22 started working in the Trust as supernumerary apprentices under the auspices of a “Young Persons’ Initiative”. The idea of the project is to give young people the chance to work within the NHS and to show managers the advantages of recruiting young people.

One of the main aims of the programmes is to start the process of changing mind-sets about young people working within the NHS, and this is already happening with departments now considering advertising future posts as apprenticeships.