Salford City College and Salford Royal prove their partnership is a healthy one after big win at National Awards

Salford City College and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust have bagged the Partnership and Collaboration Award at the Health Education England National Awards. The two have teamed up to create the Salford Royal Sector Based Work Programme, a course which aims to help get unemployed people into long-term careers.

Teamwork is at the heart of the partnership. From recruitment through to completion of the programme and creating employment opportunities for the participants. Both organisations must work together closely, sharing delivery, supporting work placements, developing knowledge and generally making a difference to the lives of those signed up. Their work together has been so successful it has seen 100% of their first cohort enter employment.

Debbie Ward, Director of Apprenticeships and Community, Salford City College said this about the win, “Salford City College are delighted to win the Health Education England Partnership and Collaboration Award in partnership with Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.  This unique programme has been running for a number years under the Sector Based Work Academy model and has made such a difference to so many lives.

“The College deliver a four-week classroom element enabling the students to complete and achieve a Level 1 Diploma in Health and Social Care, which is followed by a 10-week work placement at the Trust. 

“The participants grow in confidence, gain a much greater understanding of the role of clinical support worker, and develop skills and experience ready for employment in a worthwhile career. The progression from the programme into employment with the Trust is excellent, with 100% of the last cohort gaining employment.”

The programme helps those who are ready for work, and receiving benefits, to secure employment. Inner city Salford is one of the most deprived urban areas in the UK. Unemployment is high, NEET levels are the second worst in the UK and educational attainment is poor. The population is growing rapidly, partly because of the wealth created by Media City, but primarily because Salford is a key destination for asylum seekers coming into the UK.

The programme is a way of creating a skilled workforce that helps the Trust to meet their immediate and future recruitment needs, as well as supporting local residents who want to improve their situation and the lives of themselves and their families.

Participants are carefully selected, ensuring they are not only Salford residents but are caring individuals with clear motivation, drive and readiness to step into the world of work, in a healthcare setting.

Most participants are long-term unemployed and some have never worked. Most are mothers, the majority are single mothers. Many have dependents that have never seen their parents work.  The participants are passionate and determined, their lives are complicated and hectic, they need help to adapt to the strict routines of working life. All staff involved, from both the College and the Trust, understand their challenges.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in hearing more about the Salford Royal Sector Based Work Programme, then they can call Salford City College’s Admissions team on: 01616315000.