If you have ever fancied a career in NHS Facilities but have been put off by the application process or lack of experience, we have some fantastic news for you.
Not only are we currently recruiting for Hospital Support Assistants, Porters and Catering Assistants, but thanks to an innovative partnership with our Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) colleagues at the Jobcentre, we have revolutionised our recruitment process to support you through the whole process – and help you to pick up some useful qualifications along the way.
The system has proved to be so successful, a quarter of our Facilities workforce at Scunthorpe has now been recruited using this method – and some have already progressed into team leader roles.
For Karl Cliff, our Facilities Service Manager for Scunthorpe and Goole, making the changes was all about ensuring that we didn’t lose out on potentially perfect candidates just because they were put off by the application process or didn’t have the right training in place.
He said: “The application process for all NHS roles – from consultants to catering staff – involves filling in the same application form.
“We know that this can be quite daunting for some people, and we found we were missing a whole pool of candidates who would be perfect for the role just because the complexity of the form was putting them off.
“We also have our own internal trainers who can support people who may not have experience but are willing to adapt and adjust, so we switched the focus of the interview process from knowledge to demonstrating the right values.”
Part of this process involved holding joint recruitment open events, where both independent and Jobcentre candidates could come along, find out more about the role, meet the team and apply all on the same day.
DWP Employer Adviser, Lorenn Gale, said: “Over time we have built on that, working with the National Career Service. They look at the requirements of the roles available, the NHS values and then work with potential candidates who can meet the key requirements – such as working hours, DBS checks and references – to prepare for the role, for example looking at what questions they may be asked and helping them through the application process.
“Recently we worked together to recruit for the Catering team, and we teamed up with North Lindsey College, as we had candidates who wanted to get into catering but there were barriers around qualifications in things like food hygiene, allergy awareness and infection control.
“So, we offered a supportive and totally free three-day course, called a Sector Based Work Academy Programme, at the college where they were able to do all that – along with some physical food preparation as well.”
The candidates also received support with making their application and we were able to successfully recruit five members of staff as a result.
Karl added: “It makes such a difference to the recruitment process. These candidates were really geared up to come into work, they’d already completed their studies, they’d got their food hygiene certificates, allergen awareness certificates and they were really keen.
“Another really positive impact of this is it is really opening up the diversity of our workforce. We’re an inclusive organisation – not an exclusive one and, for us, it’s not about what you can’t do, it’s what you can do.”
Lorenn agreed, adding: “The people who come through our doors come from every walk of life. Some people have been made redundant or had a change in their health; others are looking to get into work after looking after kids. It helps our claimants and potential candidates to feel more confident coming forward, knowing they are going to be supported.”
As part of our latest recruitment drive we have worked further with the DWP and North Lindsey College to put together a five-day programme for potential candidates, which will provide them with Level One qualifications in employability skills, cleaning, and infection control along with Level Two qualifications in Cosh, food safety, and food allergens.
If you think a career in the NHS is right for you and you believe you could benefit from the support of Jobcentre, contact your Work Coach or drop-in for details of our next recruitment event.
You can also find out more about all our latest vacancies on our website or visit our dedicated recruitment Facebook page.
If you’re seeking tailored recruitment support or connections to local talent for your vacancies, the Employer Engagement Team at the Jobcentre offers free, expert guidance and practical solutions to meet your needs.
Please contact [email protected]
“I’d recommend it to anyone” – Anda’s story
Mum-of-two Anda is now a team leader in our Health Support Assistant (HAS) team after attending one of our joint recruitment events last year.
She and her daughters had recently moved to Scunthorpe from Romania and she was working in a local factory when the Employability team asked if she’d be interested in working for the NHS.
She said: “I wanted to do a little bit more for me and for the girls. I want to be a good example for my girls.
“They sent me an email saying there was a recruitment day for the hospital and was I interested. I answered that email straight away and said yes!
“I wanted to work here because I like being around people and helping them.”
Ahead of the event the team assisted Anda in preparing everything she would need to apply for the post.
She said: “They helped me with my CV, with my application – everything, until I had my interview.
“I would recommend it to everybody. I suggest to many friends of mine to come and apply or to go to the Jobcentre and ask about how they can help. I am sure they would help everybody.”
Anda impressed the team so much during her training, she was invited to interview for a Team Leader role and her application was successful.
She now has her eye on progressing further within the NHS and is studying for a degree in Business Management three evenings a week.
She added: “When I have finished my course I want to apply for another position here. I have already spoken with my manager and my supervisor.
“I am so happy to be a part of the team and to be around people. The girls are so happy too – they were telling everybody ‘my mummy’s a team leader for the NHS hospital and look so happy when they see me in my uniform.”
