Nearly 150 young people have now completed work experience opportunities at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) thanks to a partnership with the Prince’s Trust – with many going on to secure paid roles.
The Get into ELHT programme is a three-week long placement run in conjunction with the charity that sees young people gain valuable work experience across a variety of hospital departments.
It helps them achieve long term employment and training by improving their skills and experience.
Mustafa Saddique was amongst the first people to take part in the programme and now has a permanent role in the Trust’s busy laundry team.
He said: “I love my job, working in laundry.
“Without the Prince’s Trust, I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am now. Through the programme I got so much support and seven years later, I’m still here in a job I really enjoy.
“If anyone is looking at applying, please do. You won’t regret it.”
Since the programme began in 2017, 140 young people have completed the course, with another 20 due to start soon.
Prince’s Trust Director of Delivery, Louise Spencer, visited Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital recently to meet with young people who have benefited from it. She said: “I was impressed to see the strong partnership between the Prince’s Trust and ELHT to support young people into work, and the passion and commitment from staff from both organisations.
“Meeting a range of colleagues working in departments across the hospital, who started their career journey as a result of this partnership was inspiring – and I am sure the Trust and ELHT will continue to support many more young people in the future.”
Suzanne Lang, Vocational Pre-employment Coordinator at ELHT, said: “We were delighted to host a visit from Louise, giving her a chance to meet some of the young people who have benefited from the programme and gone on to work at ELHT, including in the pathology lab, logistics, laundry and as patient service assistants.”
To find out more about the programme, including how to apply, email wbet@elht.nhs.uk.