‘Unique’ new partnership helping unemployed prepare for NHS jobs in Hull hospitals

Picture by Headway

By Simon Bristow

Dozens of long-term unemployed people in Hull have taken their first steps on the jobs ladder thanks to a link-up between the NHS, Hull College and the Department for Work and Pensions.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) received more than 300 applications for job adverts for Nursing Assistants recently following a rebranding of the role of healthcare support workers.

Although 42 successful applicants are beginning careers at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, the trust realised many people were struggling to apply for jobs after being out of work for years.

Now, a unique partnership has been launched between the trust, Hull College and the DWP to give people skills such as filling in forms, preparing CVs and performing well in interviews to help them progress to careers at HUTH.

Simon Nearney, Director of Workforce at HUTH, said: “We want to give people the tools they need to have successful and rewarding careers at hospitals in their city.

“This partnership means agencies interested in educating people, finding them work and filling vacancies can all work together to help them into great jobs.”

More than 120 people who have been out of work for some time attended a special event at Britannia House, home of jobcentreplus in Hull, last month to find out more about the new recruitment scheme, with over half enquiring about specific ‘live’ roles with the NHS.

They were directed to courses run by Hull College to help them progress with applications to a variety of roles within the NHS.

Some of the original 300 applications for the Nursing Assistant jobs have also been invited back to HUTH to be helped with their applications, and supported through interviews with a view to recruitment in the two hospitals.

Jane Downing, Employer Adviser at Britannia House Jobcentre, said: “DWP are thrilled to be of assistance in helping HUTH obtain suitable candidates for the many jobs available within the trust working for the NHS. 

“Our collaboration with the trust and Hull College means that lots of our customers get the help and support they need when applying for roles within HUTH.

“We look forward to continuing this partnership working with the HUTH to ensure DWP customers of all ages and career stages get the help and support they need to move into a rewarding career within the NHS.”