The NHS in England is to create 5,000 apprenticeships in a £25m scheme that will offer youngsters “on the job” work experience.
Beginning next March, the across-the-board scheme will include management, administration, public services, computing and catering in a bid to create 21,000 apprenticeships across the entire public sector.
One thousand places will be in the West Midlands, 748 in Yorkshire and the Humber, 600 each in London and the North West and 500 each in the East Midlands and East of England.
Said Health Secretary Andy Burnham: “In these tough economic times, we must do all we can to provide high-quality routes into jobs so that we can ensure we have a highly-skilled, highly-motivated and loyal NHS workforce for future generations.”
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis commented: “The funding to create 5,000 new NHS apprenticeships is the right move at the right time.
“The public sector has an important role to play in supporting people through the recession. Young people in particular are being hit hard and are struggling to get even near the jobs ladder.”
Copyright © Press Association 2009
