School and college leavers invited to check out NHS and care careers, as results day arrives

With tens of thousands of young people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes set to receive their A Level, T Level, BTEC and GCSE results over the next week, school and college leavers have been urged to consider a career in health and social care.

There are over 350 different careers in the NHS and care, ranging from roles which are focused on direct patient care to behind-the-scenes careers in laboratories, finance, project management, human resources and other aspects of administration. In Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, over 45,000 people are employed in health and care services in both the public and private sector.

Last year the NHS published its Long Term Workforce Plan, including proposals to:

• Double medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, with more places in areas with the greatest shortages;
• Increase the number of GP training places by 50% to 6,000 by 2031;
• Almost double the number of adult nurse training places by 2031, with 24,000 more nurse and midwife training places a year by 2031;
• Offer more training places through degree apprenticeships so staff can “earn while they learn” – gaining a full degree while ensuring they meet the high clinical standards required by the relevant professional regulators;
• Offer more on-the-job learning, with role specific training, rather than studying for a degree.

Since its publication, NHS organisations across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes have been working to increase the number and range of apprenticeships and other entry-level posts to grow and develop a workforce fit for the future.

There are also opportunities for working in primary care providers, including GP surgeries, pharmacies, optometrists and dental practices.

Vacancies with NHS trusts and the Integrated Care Board, including apprenticeships are typically advertised online at NHS Jobs, but many social care and primary care opportunities are listed on other online job search websites.

Local NHS and care organisations hold careers events throughout the year, with more already being planned in partnership with colleges and universities in the local area.  Details will be available in the run-up to these sessions.

Martha Roberts, chief people officer at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“You’ve finally got your results so well done!  If you’re wondering what to do next, one thing we can be certain of is that the country will always need nurses, healthcare assistants, carers, therapists, doctors, pharmacists and people working in non-clinical NHS and social care roles.

“Working in the health and care sector is varied and always fulfilling, and there has never been a better time to start your career journey in the NHS or social care. Even if you didn’t get the grades you were expecting, don’t panic: there is a role for everyone who has the right values and skills.

“There are plenty of ways to get started: apprenticeships, volunteering opportunities and degree courses are just three.

“So far this year over 33,000 people in England have applied to study for a nursing degree and a further 7,000 have applied to become a midwife.  But with plenty of spaces still available through Clearing, there is still room for those who are undecided to join these and other professions.”

You can find inspiration from the Bedfordshire Health and Care Academy, which was established in 2020 and has already inspired many young minds about the variety clinical and non-clinical roles on offer, and helping students to make an informed decision about their future career.

Lots more information on working in the NHS is available at healthcareers.nhs.uk, including a quiz which you can take to find out which sorts of roles might most suit you.  If you need advice, you can call NHS Health Careers on 0345 60 60 655 or email advice@healthcareers.nhs.uk.

Careers in the social care sector are the focus of aquestionofcare.org.uk, which also lets you check your interests and skills against the types of work you could do.