South and City College Birmingham has partnered with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to facilitate the RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme, providing the College’s Health & Care T Level students an enriching extra-curricular insight into a career in nursing and other Allied Health Professions (AHPs).
It’s the first time that the RCN has partnered with an educational institution with no uniformed affiliation in the West Midlands region.
Supported by HRH Prince of Wales, the RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme was founded in 2019 to provide opportunities for young people in socially deprived areas; widen participation within the healthcare profession; introduce young people to new career routes and opportunities in nursing and AHPs; and support them in future employment.
Running on a weekly basis throughout the academic year, the partnership with South and City College will combine theoretical classroom-based learning with modules including basic life support, infection prevention and control, and dementia care and practical study toward the end of the programme, in the form of a 20-hour clinical observation placement with a local healthcare provider. This structure has been devised to give cadets an overview of the wide range of career opportunities which are available to them within nursing and AHPs. Previous graduates of the scheme have gone on to pursue careers in fields including radiography and mental health nursing.
Upon completion of the course, students will receive a modular transcript which can be leveraged whilst applying for qualifications such as university degrees, apprenticeships, and also working in care homes and other health and social care settings. Students also become members of the RCN alumni network, which links former cadets with their peers across the United Kingdom. Through the network, students can gain access to local and international alumni-only events, talks, and the opportunity to match with organisations for future employment.
Harry Ranton, Project Coordinator for the RCN Prince of Wales Nursing Cadet Scheme at the Royal College of Nursing, commented: “One of the greatest skills that a student/cadet can master before joining the health workforce is confidence, and the RCN POW cadet scheme has been designed with that in mind. Along with academic subject matter, we teach key transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership, to give our cadets a real taste of life as a healthcare professional.
“We place emphasis on developing skills that are of vital importance throughout life. We also give our cadets the opportunity to gain experience on placements, where they can learn from healthcare professionals in real workplace settings and where they will engage with patients.
“Ultimately, the students/cadets who complete the programme come away with an experience that will give them a real advantage when applying for further qualifications and employment opportunities. We’re excited to now be working with South and City College Birmingham, to provide these opportunities for its health and care students.”
Rebecca Waterfield, Director of Business Development at South and City College Birmingham, commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the RCN on this scheme. We know that there is a massive recruitment need for nurses and other AHPs, particularly in the West Midlands – and working alongside bodies such as the RCN enables us to provide courses and qualifications that better meet the needs of employers, both locally and nationally.
“Through this partnership, we are giving our students the opportunity to gain hands-on practical experience as well as a range of transferable skills that will set them up for their future careers, no matter which specialism they choose to pursue.
“Together, we are building a regional pipeline for primary and secondary healthcare workers, and the nursing cohort of the future. This will help to fill recruitment gaps and provide more young people with highly rewarding career routes.”
For more information on enrolment at South and City College Birmingham, visit: www.sccb.ac.uk/enrol
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