NHS Trusts across the Solent region are making waves through their launch of the NHS Support Worker Skills Bootcamp, a unique free training programme to secure hundreds of job vacancies across Southampton. Support worker roles are rewarding careers within the NHS, and so the scheme provides essential training for these vital roles.
The Southampton bootcamp is to run from 13th January to 24th January 2025, demonstrating how NHS trusts are uniting to address this challenge of employee shortages by offering a career pathway that combines job security, community impact, and opportunities for professional growth.
A spokesperson from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “Our NHS support workers play a vital roe in the day-to-day care of patients and the smooth-running of our services. This bootcamp is an innovative response to critical workforce gaps and demonstrates the power of regional collaboration. We’re excited to welcome new candidates into these fulfilling roles that make a real difference in our community.
Support workers are the unsung heroes of the NHS, forming the backbone of healthcare services by ensuring patients receive exceptional care. Despite their critical importance, support worker roles remain among the most understaffed positions in the region. The bootcamp, in which participants will gain Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications through expert-led, in-person sessions, will guarantee interviews with NHS Trusts for its participants, paving the way for o stable and rewarding employment.
Rachael Randall, chair of the Solent Growth Partnership Business Board, said: “This Skills Bootcamp is about more than filling vacancies; it’s about creating a supportive pathway to meaningful careers in the NHS. For jobseekers or anything considering a career change, this programme is an incredible opportunity to contribute to your community, gain valuable qualifications, and make a difference. By collaborating across the region, we’re tackling workforce challenges head-on while fostering a stronger, healthier future for everyone.”
The NHS is seeking candidates who are naturally caring and empathetic, hard-working and resilient, flexible, and committed to delivering exceptional patient care. These roles offer clear pathways for progression, with opportunities to specialise in patient care, advisory positions, or facilities management. Participants can also benefit from the wider perks of NHS employment, including excellent pension schemes and the satisfaction of contributing to a healthier, stronger community.
This pilot skills bootcamp represents a unique collaboration between Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust. By working totter, these organisations are tackling regional challenges head-on while fostering long-term economic and community growth. Should it be successful, the programme will be expanded across the Solent region, offering even more locals the opportunity to pursue meaningful careers in healthcare.
