How do you encourage young people to join the NHS? We ask MPs
Many young people who go into the NHS have no idea what an amazing place it is to work. Don Tomlinson of max20 asked MPs how we can encourage them to consider it as a career option
Asking the first question at any event can be daunting but especially if it is at the Houses of Parliament. Don Tomlinson, Managing Director of max20 Project Solutions, found himself first in line with his question while attending a reception there by North West MPs.
Don was keen to hear their thoughts on how young people can be encouraged into careers with the NHS and how max20 Project Solutions can support these career pathways.
“Most of the young people we place on contract for the first time into the NHS have no idea what an amazing place it is,” explains Don. “My question focused on what the panel would do, in practical terms, to encourage more young people to take up a career in the NHS – both medical and non-medical. The feedback was encouraging, with a very positive reaction.”
Paul Maynard, Conservative MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, suggested that perhaps more could be done between the private sector, including max20 Project Solutions, in collaboration with local colleges and NHS Trusts to ‘spread the word’.
Don adds: “This was music to my ears and highlighted the journey of one of our contractors, Bradley Driver, who as a school leaver became a contractor with max20, and worked on the digitisation of health records at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
“The NHS employs over 1.7 million people in more than 350 careers. max20 is the leading provider of digital services to the NHS through the G-Cloud supplier framework, so I recognise the increasing role we can play in driving change to see more young people seek a career in the NHS.”
The event was attended by a number of other North West businesses, mainly in the manufacturing and finance sectors.
“For manufacturing companies, their main concerns voiced at the event were around tariffs, zero carbon emissions and that the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union may not have been such a good idea after all,” says Don.
“As the Spring Budget was taking place the same week, there was considerable speculation from the Labour MPs as to whether a ‘proper windfall tax’ would be implemented. It would be fair to say the Labour MPs present seemed rather positive about being part of the next government in 18months time – only time will tell!”
The reception, which was hosted jointly by the CBI and Barclays Bank, was also attended by Sir Mark Hendrick, Labour MP for Preston; Mike Kane, Labour MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East who is also Shadow Minister for Transport; and Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central and Shadow Minister for International Trade.