A multi-award-winning NHS apprenticeship programme, designed to tackle the Isle of Wight’s unique youth employment challenges, has now been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise.
The Careers for Young People (CfYP) Programme was developed by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with HTP Apprenticeship College to support youth employment on the Isle of Wight. The award means that both organisations will become two of just 197 nationally, to be recognised with the prestigious award.
The programme, which received the Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) award, offers 16- to 18-year-olds a direct route into a wide range of NHS careers and has already won a Nursing Times Award and HSJ Partnership Award. The King’s Awards for Enterprise recognises outstanding UK businesses and is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Nicola Longson, Director of Transformation and Improvement at the Trust, and Founder of the CfYP Programme, expressed her pride in the programme’s achievements. She reflected on the journey from an initial idea that many doubted to a multi-award-winning initiative, saying: “We’ve proven that by investing in young people and supporting their development, we can build a sustainable workforce from within. This programme is a perfect example of how we’re tackling local employment challenges while also addressing the wider needs of the NHS. I’m particularly proud that we’ve made this real for young people in our community, giving them opportunities they might not otherwise have had. We’re thrilled to have won another award for this programme, which really highlights how successful it has been for people on the island.”
Rachael Randall, CEO of HTP Apprenticeship College which is based in Newport on the Isle of Wight, said: "This is an incredible recognition and genuinely highlights the real impact of the Careers for Young People Programme and the opportunities we’re creating for young people on the Island. Through our partnership, we’ve seen a significant increase in full-time entrants into health and social care apprenticeships, helping to build a skilled and passionate workforce for the future of the NHS. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited for what’s to come."
The success of the programme means there are plans to expand beyond the NHS, as well as rolling the model out to the mainland.
Programmes such as the Careers for Young People Programme are vital for growing and providing valuable career opportunities for young people. They also support resilience by building a sustainable workforce for years to come.
Learn more about the programme here.
*Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, trading as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, received the award under its former name, as the entry was submitted prior to the formation of the new Trust on 1 October 2024.