NHS traineeships for disabled graduates

Following a successful first phase, a programme to give disabled graduates employment opportunities in NHS Scotland will be run for a second time.

The NHS Professional Careers Programme will offer up to 22 disabled graduates across Scotland the opportunity of a paid two year work experience placement and help to secure permanent employment at the end of the programme.

Launching the second round of the programme, Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman met current and former trainees in Glasgow.

Ms Freeman said:

“We are committed to delivering transformational change in the lives of disabled people in Scotland. A key focus of our activity is tackling, head on, some of the barriers which prevent disabled people from gaining work experience which can lead to full-time professional careers. 

“The NHS Professional Careers programme not only provides graduates with the opportunity to learn and develop the necessary skills to allow them to have an equal chance of competing in the labour market, it does so in a supportive environment which allows their talents to flourish.

“We know from the results of the first cohort that programmes like this are successful. Of graduates who joined in 2015, six have progressed into permanent employment, one has been accepted onto a highly prestigious PhD course at Groningen University and 16 are in placement.

“If we are to deliver real change in the field of employment, the public sector must lead the way. So it’s great to see the NHS embrace the challenge and have such success in helping disabled people fulfill their potential.”

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and NHS boards, and run by the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living Equality Academy (GCILEA).

Alan Lewis, a former graduate and now employed as Partnership and Engagement Officer with NHS 24, said:

“Being part of the GCIL programme has been an extremely enriching and inspirational experience, which has opened up many doors for future employment.

“I would thoroughly recommend this to any disabled graduates looking for support and direction to take their career to the next level.”

John Spiers, National Development Manager, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living

Equality Academy, said:

“Building on the huge success of the first cohort, GCIL Equality Academy is delighted to embark on the next stage of the disabled graduate traineeship programme in partnership with Scottish Government and NHS Scotland.

“This partnership approach offers life changing opportunities to disabled graduates, whilst demonstrating the commitment of the Scottish Government to challenging the barriers that disabled people face in the pursuit of their career ambitions.”          

Background

For more information on the Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living (GCIL) Equality Academy, visit their website.

More detail on the Professional Careers Graduate Traineeship is available on the GCIL website.