Member Article

Two of Sheffield's largest employers give healthcare sector a boost

Two of Sheffield’s largest employers have entered into a new phase of partnership, giving a boost to skills and jobs in the healthcare sector.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and The Sheffield College have enjoyed a successful relationship since 2005, establishing a wide range of initiatives aimed at tackling skills gaps and boosting jobs and employee retention rates in the sector.

During this period at least 1,333 staff have either been trained or up skilled, with The Sheffield College recently clinching the skills development and apprenticeship award at the Sheffield City Region Business Awards largely through the success of the partnership.

The new agreement seeks to build on the success of recent years to become a ‘one stop shop’ for hospital working in the City, focussing not only on the immediate care providers but all of the professions that make up the hospital community, including estate workers and clerical staff.

Julie Byrne, principal, Sheffield City College, said: “I am so pleased that this important relationship is set to continue for a further five years for the mutual benefit of both the college and the trust, but more importantly for the individuals who will benefit from first class education and training programmes.”

The partnership will provide development and progression opportunities for current Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust staff, and a wider offering for pre-employability.

New initiatives to be implemented will include a wider apprenticeship offer, expanding to procurement and IT, and the development of a traineeship model.

Linda Crofts, head of learning and development, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The past six years have provided a great foundation for us to build on.

“With the recent publication of the Cavendish report this is definitely the right time to progress and extend the opportunities available for young people and current staff and we look forward to the challenges ahead.”

The Sheffield College is the largest training provider in the city, has links with up to 3,000 employers and offers a wide range of academic, professional and vocational courses at Sheffield City, Hillsborough, Norton, Peaks and The Sheffield College of Applied Engineering.

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals is one of the UK’s largest NHS Foundation Trusts, cares for more than one million patients every year and employs more than 15,000 staff.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .