Published on: 22 October 2019

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Twelve more local people have gained a national qualification and relevant work experience by taking part in East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s Step Into ELHT pre-employment initiative.

In partnership with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Blackburn College, 12 men and women aged 20-55 recently completed the Step Into ELHT programme which began with a 3-week course at Blackburn College studying for a Level 1 City & Guilds in ‘Employability Skills in the Adult and Child Care Sector’.

This was followed by a three-week work placement at either Burnley or Royal Blackburn hospital in departments including patient services, health records, laundry and business administration.

“Congratulations to our latest Step Into ELHT participants. This programme has been a great success,” says ELHT Associate Director for Education, Julia Owen.

“The Trust is committed to giving more employment opportunities to local people and we’re already planning future ‘Step into ELHT programmes in partnership with Blackburn College and the DWP.”

Following completion of the latest Step Into ELHT, all 12 participants have been offered shift work with the hospital’s ‘staff bank’.

“I’ve been lucky to have a whole team of mentors who make every effort to show me how they do their work,” said Mualif, who worked for three weeks in the ELHT Improvement Team. “I really enjoyed my time working with the improvements team and appreciate all that they have taught me.”