Introducing students across Wakefield to careers in healthcare | News

Following a successful partnership formed in 2021, The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is working with Outwood Grange Academies Trust in Wakefield to inspire school students to become the next generation of healthcare workers.

On Thursday 27 April, colleagues from Mid Yorkshire were delighted to attend an early careers fair at Outwood Grange Academy, alongside over 40 other organisations, colleges and universities across West Yorkshire to provide insight into different career options to allow students to make the best decisions for their future.

The event, which was open to Year 10 and 12 students across all secondary schools under the Outwood Grange Academies Trust umbrella, welcomed over 700 attendees, and provided an opportunity for MYHT teams across Nursing and Midwifery, Medical and Theatres, Digital Services, Apprenticeships, plus many more, to give students career information, advice and guidance, alongside guaranteed interviews for apprentice and trainee healthcare assistant roles.

Speaking at the event, Mahmud Nawaz, Non-Executive Director at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, and Academy Governor at Outwood Grange Academy, said:

“I’m delighted to see the partnership between Outwood Grange Academy and The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals Trust grow from strength to strength.

“I am always bowled over by the passion our #MYTeam have for their careers and in engaging the next generation to inspire them.

“Thank you to our team for volunteering their time and showing such enthusiasm for this event, and especially to Georgina Woodford and Ellie Valentine for organising our team, and to Julekha Motara at Outwood Grange Academy for hosting us and generating such an amazing turnout.

I know that we will be successful in attracting talent into our NHS Trust as a result of events like this, with strong interest from both pupils and parents in opportunities at Mid Yorkshire. A truly wonderful community event!”

Ellie Valentine, Associate Director of Workforce and Organisational Development at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said:

“These events are so important as they give us the opportunity, as one of the largest local employers, to connect with young people from our local community about the opportunities in health and care, either with us or one of our local partner organisations. There are hundreds of career choices, often in subjects which people do not automatically connect with healthcare careers.

“The Trust offers many routes into direct employment, with guaranteed interviews for students on certain pathways, and we offer numerous apprenticeships, which enable individuals to achieve further qualifications with both financial and pastoral support, to enable individuals to realise their aspirations.”

Julekha Motara, Assistant Principal at Outwood Grange Academy, said:

“We were absolutely thrilled to welcome The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust to our careers fair at Outwood Grange Academy last night.

“Events such as this are a key part of our Careers strategy and provide a great opportunity for students across the Wakefield District to meet and talk with individuals from a wide variety of sectors.

“We are committed to providing our students with good career guidance to help them make informed decisions about what steps to take at the end of their studies.

“A huge thank you to all of the employers and universities that joined us at the event – there was some excellent feedback from students and parents, and we look forward to seeing you at our next event.”

Following a successful careers fair, on Friday 28 April the MYHT team have also supported Year 10, 12 and 13 students with an in-depth careers panel Q&A and a careers workshop covering a values-based exercise for Years 12 and 13.