Work experience kickstarts continuing career in NHS for local young people

Four local young people who kickstarted their careers with work placements at the Trust have gone on to secure paid employment with the NHS.

In March 2022, Malakai Bland, Byron Hall, George Shields and Blake Kitching joined the Trust as part of the Kickstart programme, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. The programme is a government initiative designed to support young people aged between 18 and 24 away from Universal Credit and into work experience for up to 6 months.

All four of the recruits have now achieved full time paid employment with the Trust and its partner organisations.

Malakai is now working as a health care support worker on the Trust’s wards, with Byron and George both working as administrative assistants at the Trust’s Folly Hall Mills in Huddersfield.

Blake is due to start at Bradford Royal Infirmary in a new role within the A&E department.

Business support manager Darren Phillips said: “All four of the young men have been a great asset to our Trust. With their temporary contracts coming to an end, we are so pleased to see them continuing their careers with the NHS where they will go on to develop the skills and experience they built with us.

“It’s been great for the Trust to be able to support the employment prospects of local young people, helping them to get a strong start in what we hope will be a long and happy career within the NHS.”