NHS staff have teamed up once more with local colleges to help T-Level students get more work-placed opportunities – after a new initiative was set up.
Three first year students from Hartlepool College of Further Education were able to pilot the new small team project. The project is based on real-employer set tasks giving students meaningful learning opportunities.
This is part of a wider partnership the organisation has with its local colleges to provide T-Level industry work placements, which are a level three qualification for students aged 16 to 19.
Students Chloe Williams, Lacie Barker and Eve McNally volunteered to be the first to take part in our new project-based approach to placements for first year students, which involved working on a patient scenario to help develop their clinical knowledge and skills
Aligning it with the T-Level curriculum, NHS values, professional standards and the NHS 10 Year plan, the students worked closely with the trust’s education faculty.
To mark the end of the programme, all three students presented their project as part of a showcase in front of representatives from their college, alongside other college partners Stockton Riverside College, Hartlepool Sixth Form and Stockton Sixth Form College in the Trust’s Health and Social Care Academy.
Emma Davies, group education, learning and development manager, said: “It was fantastic to see the work Chloe, Lacie and Eve have carried out and the achievements they have made as part of the small team project.
“They were able to show, through their care of virtual patient Maya, the clear roles and responsibilities they would have, the professionalism needed, as well as skills like problem solving, NHS values, evidence-based practice and shared leadership and accountability – as well as much more.
“The project has been a complete success, building on the progress we have already made with the T-Level placements, and I look forward to welcoming students from all of our college partners in the autumn.”
Every T-Level student is required to complete a mandatory industry work placement of 315 hours, giving young people the chance to put their learning into practice in a real workplace environment. Students will then have an opportunity to apply for a clinical placement in their second year.
Alison Parker, T-Level placement co-ordinator, said: “It was a really uplifting morning seeing the progress Chloe, Lacie and Eve made and the confidence they showed presenting their achievements.
“They show exactly why this scheme has been the success that it has – young students who are ambitious to learn and develop being given the chance to get vital work experience.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the next cohort of students on the small team project in September.”