After working in hospitality, business management, and education and training in the past, 33-year-old Hasina Riley wanted a change of career direction and signed up for a Steps into Work (NHS) employability programme to prepare her for a future career in the sector.
The five-week course – run by the college in partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust – is aimed at anyone who wants to work in an administrative role in the NHS and is an opportunity to develop the employability skills needed to work in the sector and benefit from a work experience placement in a healthcare setting.
Hasina said: “The course is an opportunity to get education and training to prepare you for working in the NHS and gain work placement experience in a hospital in an administrative or receptionist role.
“The programme is for anyone, to help them overcome any barriers they may have, build their confidence, and provide them with a steppingstone into employment if they’ve never worked or are finding it difficult to return to work.
“My work experience was at New Cross Hospital, on ward C39, and I worked as a receptionist but also assisted with basic healthcare support when required.
“The course also covered employability skills, interview techniques, emotional intelligence, health and safety, safeguarding, and maths and English so there was a variety of subjects we got the chance to cover.
“If you’re looking to access work in the NHS I’d recommend the programme – it’ll prepare you for getting into work and you’ll get guidance from the NHS Futures team, as well as from the tutors and everyone is very supportive and want you to do your best.
“If you want to gain work experience, need to boost your confidence, have never worked and want to gain work skills I’d definitely recommend the course- it’s definitely a course that you should do if you want to work in the NHS!”
