Huge NHS event gives 500 North East pupils a taste for future careers
NE1's 'The Big One' event gave young people in the North East an insight into many different opportunities on offer for future career prospects
by Emily Gray · ChronicleLiveAn NHS careers event has taken place for 500 young people in the North East to learn about the vast range of careers within the health service.
Students had the chance to speak to engaging and informative staff from different departments, roles and at different levels, to get an insight into the type and range of jobs available to them in the future.
Taking place at Gosforth Park Hotel, delivered in partnership with the Newcastle Hospitals Trust on Wednesday, the event designed for anyone interested in working in the NHS, hosted 500 students in Year 10 and above from schools across the region.
The event was hosted by NE1 CAN which brings together cross-sector businesses, education and youth providers from across the North East to deliver real-life career insights and raise aspirations and ambition in young people across the North East region as part of Newcastle NE1’s wider programme.
Attendees also heard from Newcastle Hospitals’ Chief Executive, Sir Jim Mackey, on the characteristics and qualities the organisation is looking for in its future employees, 'in a career which makes a difference.'
A key part stand-out part of the day for many of the students was the interactive sessions ran by different teams from Newcastle Hospitals, giving hands-on, practical insights into a range of roles, jobs and departments within the Trust.
Among the sessions was a popular immersive experience with the Radiography team using Virtual Reality (VR) headsets demonstrating a patient’s journey through the department and treatment. Ear, nose and throat specialists demonstrated what bone-anchored hearing aids look like and how to fit them using a dummy skull and ear.
Students also got the chance to learn about wound care with nurse specialists using different dressings on a replica pressure sore, and gets hands-on with a midwifery stimulation showing the process of how a baby is born.
Newcastle Hospitals employ around 16,000 people in roles that suit all skills and abilities. The event provided a unique insight into the organisation, helping young people understand the range of careers available in the NHS and the routes into these jobs
The event allowed the Trust to have conversations with potential employees, breaking down barriers for young people at a crucial time in their lives when considering making career choices, taking learning out of the classroom and into the real world of work.
Kerry McCabe, Business Network Manager at NE1 Ltd said: “Due to the overwhelming demand for spaces at events we host on careers in the NHS, we decided to team up with Newcastle Hospitals Trust to host ‘The Big One’.
"In one day, 500 young people will get the chance to learn about the varied opportunities available across the trust and as a mark of how important recruitment is for the organisation, Chief Executive, Sir Jim Mackey, will open both morning and afternoon sessions. We are thrilled to have him join us to outline the huge employment opportunities within the Trust and the wider NHS.
“Our events help young people make informed decisions about their future while supporting businesses to tackle their recruitment, retention and diversification issues.”
Sir Jim Mackey, Newcastle Hospitals’ Chief Executive said: “The NHS provides so many varied and valued careers - from our porters, security staff, healthcare assistants and nurses to our medical photographers, physiotherapists and catering staff as well as many more.
“Increasingly we are also looking for people with skills in technology such as IT colleagues, analysts and engineers. There really is something for everyone, we have many different training opportunities and routes into those careers.
“I’m pleased that we can work with NE1 CAN to create this unique platform to talk directly to young people and give them real-life insights into the many exciting opportunities within our organisation and the wider NHS.
“This October’s event is special as we can meet with 500 young people and hopefully encourage them to pursue careers with us and become the NHS clinicians, support workers, leaders and innovators of the future.”
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