New scheme aims to attract 60 young people on benefits into NHS jobs

A new scheme is being launched which will help 60 young people from across Greater Glasgow and Clyde into jobs in healthcare.

The Kickstart Scheme is a partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Renfrewshire Council employability service, Invest in Renfrewshire, and will provide support for 16 to 24 year olds who are in receipt of Universal Credit and living in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.

Kickstart, a UK-wide Department of Work and Pensions initiative, is a key aspect of the Scottish Government’s Young Person’s Guarantee which aims to provide employability support to young people.

From November, 60 new, fixed term job opportunities will be created for young people in receipt of Universal Credit.

The employment and training programme will take place over a period of six months across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde acute sites. The training sites that will be used are:

Royal Alexandra Hospital

Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

Gartnavel General Hospital

Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Following the end of the programme all successful trainees will have access to a guaranteed interview for facilities posts at any of our acute hospital locations.

Anne MacPherson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at NHSGGC, said: “ We understand that the pandemic has really hit our young people hard, with many ending up out of work or with less certainty around  career plans. We are pleased that Kickstart will provide real opportunities for some of those young people to be part of our teams that offer the very best in patient care.

“Those participating in the Scheme will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and experience in catering, domestic and portering duties along with training in key employability topics to support onward transition into NHS employment, or with other employers.

“We look forward to welcoming those joining the programme into our wider NHS family.”

Invest in Renfrewshire will act as the gateway provider across the NHSGGC catchment area, connecting with employability partners to raise awareness of this opportunity and recruit people into the roles.

Once a candidate is selected, the Invest team will deliver a pre-employment programme with accredited training, to prepare people for their new roles and during their employment, there will be more training and skills support to sustain their employment and work towards permanent posts.

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson said: “These roles at the Royal Alexandra and other hospitals across the Health Board area will give young people a fantastic opportunity to earn a wage and develop their skills and experience, while ensuring NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals continue to provide a first-class service to patients and visitors.

“Our expert employability team will be on hand to support the young people right from their recruitment to providing accredited training and help with career progression during their employment.”

The application route for this programme is only by referral through local DWP work coaches in the Glasgow and Clyde area and is now open to young people currently in receipt of Universal Credit.

People can find out more and register their interest through the jobs portal on the Invest in Renfrewshire website at www.ypguaranteerenfrewshire.com/employment