Heart of Worcestershire College and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health Care NHS Trust forge strategic partnership to enhance construction industry education

NHS Left bottom Martin Jones and Michelle Dowse Left top Luke Garrison Head of Estates at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and Mo Horan

Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW) and the Estates and Facilities department at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health Care NHS Trust have announced a significant partnership aimed at promoting career opportunities and curriculum development in the construction industry.

Working together, this three-year commitment will assist in raising awareness of career pathways within the Trust and its supply chain, whilst increasing the understanding of soft skills and transferable skills in career progression.

Both organisations recognise the importance of equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this vital industry.

Key initiatives of the partnership:

  • Curriculum Development: This collaboration will offer essential insights into curriculum content by engaging with students and staff to provide insights into career pathways, services, and practical experiences.
  • Skill sharing: Giving real insight with guest lectures and skill sessions to support curriculum delivery and assessment. The Trust will also engage in an employer forum up to twice a year to contribute to curriculum development and design.
  • Hands-On Experience: The partnership will facilitate work placements and learning projects for students, providing them with practical experience in the industry, something that will be invaluable in their career development.

Mo Horan, Vice Principal Apprenticeships, Partnerships & Skills at HoW College said: “We are really excited by this partnership with Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health Care NHS Trust, as it shows the vast amount of career opportunities available within the Trust, specifically for our Construction students. The joining together of our two organisations will provide invaluable experience for our students to get real life experience of the sector.”

Luke Garrison, Head of Estates at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, added: “This partnership aims to introduce students to various career pathways available in the NHS, whilst simultaneously recruiting high-calibre talent locally. Through this effort, we hope to benefit students with hands-on work experience and teach useful skills to advance their careers. By supporting the next generations of engineers, tradespeople and estates professionals, we hope to shape the future workforce that will ultimately support the NHS for years to come.”

For more information about HoW College visit www.howcollege.ac.uk.

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