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Unemployed enter world of work with hospital trust

Monday, 12 March, 2018

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Ian (left) with Wendy Dunwell (right), carrying out their duties on the ward.

The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, in partnership with Job Centre Plus (JCP) and Wakefield College, has given 18, local, unemployed people the opportunity to get a job.

Each of the candidates was initially screened by the JCP and interviewed by a panel which also included the Trust and Wakefield College. The successful applicants were assessed against the Trust core values and chosen for their aptitude and appetite for work.

The first cohort completed a number of work related modules at Wakefield College which saw them awarded with certificates in food hygiene and customer service. They then started a four week placement in various housekeeping and domestic roles at Pinderfields Hospital. On successful completion they were permanently employed by the Trust.

Ellie Valentine, Assistant Director for HR and Recruitment at The Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working with local partners to give local people the chance to get into work. There are many reasons why people find themselves unemployed, and they often just need someone to give them a chance.

“Every one of our employees affects our patients' experience so it's really important that we recruit individuals who share our values. This programme enables us to give those with the right values a chance. We then enable them to develop the correct skills to do the job through college and work based training."

Ian Scott has recently come to the end of his four week placement at the Trust, working as a domestic at Pinderfields Hospital, he said: “It’s the first cleaning job I’ve had and the first time I’ve worked in a hospital and I’m really enjoying it. I’m working with another domestic, Wendy, who has been showing me what to do.

“We have to clean the rooms and bays when the patients leave ready for the next one. I also take the tea trolley round in the evening and give the patients a cuppa.

“In the last few days I have been doing things on my own, Wendy is still there if I need her though.”

Before starting on the programme Ian worked in a local factory and prior to this was undertaking various courses at Wakefield College to improve his maths and English.

“Ian has proved himself to be a great asset to the domestic team during his time here,” commented Ellie. “Wendy has had nothing but praise for him and even during the bad weather he managed to get himself here, on the bus, from Pontefract.

“We have given him a chance to work for a local employer, build on his skills and get a paid, permanent role at the end of it. I’m confident we will continue to help more people like Ian back into work through our partnership with JCP and Wakefield College.”

The second cohort has recently started the college element of the programme and a third cohort is due to begin in April.

Jobcentre Plus West Yorkshire District Service Leader Sue Soroczan said: “I am delighted with this joint initiative undertaken by ourselves and our colleagues in the NHS.

“The innovation and motivation displayed in this initiative has made a tangible difference to the employment prospects of those participating and it is clear from feedback that both they and their prospective employer are deriving enormous benefits from this approach.”