City of Oxford College, Oxford Brookes University and Buckinghamshire New University with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS England welcomed a panel of healthcare professionals at a livestreamed Careers event on Wednesday 22 October.
Developed from a partnership between City of Oxford College, Oxford Brookes University and Buckinghamshire New University, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS England, the event took place at city centre campus in Oxpens Road and was livestreamed to other colleges across the Activate Learning group to give over 200 students the opportunity to learn about the pathways available to them.
The collaboration brought together a panel of expert speakers including Shilpa Bhatt, NHS Workforce and Education Leader, Claire Wardle, Health and Care Support Workforce Education Senior Specialist at NHS England, Robert Crookston, Lecturer Adult Nursing Oxford Brookes University, Shane Roadnight, Associate professor of Perioperative Practice at Buckinghamshire New University, Matthew Rudd, Management Graduate at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Kevin Cordingley, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at Oxford Brookes University and Hollie Hooper, Occupational therapy Apprentice at NHS England.
The panel discussed the various professions within the NHS, including Adult Nursing, Children’s Nursing and Occupational Therapy, and the educational pathways into these healthcare professions and in addition to this, information was provided on the recruitment to the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme.
Speakers also shared valuable advice on what can help applicants stand out when applying for jobs, apprenticeships or university places. This included the values and behaviours important in health and care, how to stay informed about opportunities and where to look for them.
Attendees then heard from Occupational Therapy Apprentice, Hollie Hooper, who spoke about daily life as an apprentice and her passion for the sector.
Olivia Dolton, Access to HE student at City of Oxford College and University Centre, wants to work in an operating theatre. She said:
“Today was really insightful and now, after talking to the professionals, I now know I can go to Buckinghamshire New University to do a degree to go straight into my chosen career.”
Daniel Nield, Director of Delivery at Activate Learning, said: “Students asked fantastic questions and the event helped so many students to consider careers they may not have thought about before.
“I’m particularly pleased with the fact that, in this digital world, we were able to open up this opportunity to students at our other campuses by live streaming the event.”
Preeti Mahajan, Director of Innovation and Product Solutions at Activate Learning, said: “Partnerships like this are incredibly valuable in connecting education with the world of work.
“By bringing together NHS employers and higher education partners, we can give our learners first-hand insights into the range of career opportunities available, the skills and values employers are looking for, and the different pathways into the sector. It is not just about raising aspirations but helping learners understand what they need to do to take that next step, whether through university, apprenticeships or employment.”
