Healthcare, Careers & Skills Academy

The Healthcare Careers and Skills Academy is based on the Trust's City General site and has been set up through collaboration between the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Advantage West Midlands, North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone, Stoke-on-Trent College, Skills for Health, Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council. The recent refurbishment of the Academy has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The Academy has recently won the 2010 Lean Healthcare Academy Award (Embracing Technology) and was 'Highly Commended' at the 2010 Healthcare People Management Awards (Social Partnership) and 2010 Health Service Journal Awards (Corporate Citizenship).  We were also shortlisted in the 2010 BMJ Awards (Corporate and Social Responsibility) and for the 2010 Personnel Today Awards (Corporate and Social Responsibility).

What does the Academy do?

The academy offers access to training, access to employment and careers advice to support new, existing and future employees.

There is a careers officer based within the Healthcare Careers & Skills Academy who provides information, advice and guidance on an array of employment and training issues within the Trust.

You can obtain information on:

• Up-to-date career opportunities within the NHS

• Courses available at the Academy

• Career development and progression routes

• Techniques on how to apply for vacancies (application form / interview)

• Taster Days - Clinical Support - finding out what the roles are all about

• Work trial opportunities for the unemployed - an opportunity to train for and trial a job in the Trust with a guaranteed interview when a vacancy occurs.

Short Courses:

•  Corporate Induction

• 'Skills for Work'

• Time management

• Communication Skills

• Project Management

• Appraisal skills for managers and staff

• I.T. workshops

Vocational Qualifications NVQ's in Business Administration, Healthcare Support, Customer Service, Management, Pharmacy, Information Technology, Skills for Life

The Academy has a dedicated team of advisers who work with young people aged between 14-19 in schools, colleges and universities across the North Staffordshire area. Current projects include;