College Launches Pilot NHS Internship Programme

Photo (left to right): Katie Irving (student), Elliott Kelly (student), Rowena Lovatt (Careers and Enrichment Administrator), David Hammond (Membership Manager, NHS Community Trust), Kate Rigby (Assistant Principal)

Birkenhead Sixth Form College has teamed up with Wirral Community NHS Trust to launch a pioneering junior internship programme for its students.

The pilot programme will give students from Wirral’s only sixth form college the opportunity to undertake placements within a range of Wirral Community NHS Trust departments.

Students will get the chance to understand how the NHS works and the various roles that it can offer as a career by accompanying professionals in a variety of teams including Speech and Language Therapy and Heart Support, Engagement, and Project Management. Students will be given responsibility for projects and tasks, as well as accompanying professionals in action. 

Kate Rigby, Assistant Principal Learning Services, is leading the project for Birkenhead Sixth Form College.

She said: “This is a unique opportunity for our students to gain meaningful work experience in busy NHS as well as enhance their employability skills.

“Building work on our new state-of-the-art science laboratories is almost complete and this partnership re-asserts our commitment to developing a talented generation of young scientists and medical professionals.

“We have now started to promote these junior internships to students and they will undertake the placements from the middle of June.

“We are very grateful to Wirral Community NHS Trust for agreeing to partner with us on this ambitious new programme. The College is keen to work with all types of private businesses and public sector organisations to give our students worthwhile placements which can enhance their studies and employability prospects.”

David Hammond, Membership Manager for Wirral Community NHS Trust, said: “The Trust is delighted to have teamed up with Birkenhead Sixth Form College to trial this innovative junior internship programme.

“The Trust understands the importance of working with young people and assisting in their education and career development – we are also keen to promote the range of career opportunities within the health sector. Over the summer, we will review the success of this pilot programme before deciding how to take forward any further opportunities.”

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Find out more about Wirral Community NHS Trust at www.wirralct.nhs.uk