Life-changing NHS work placement provides full-time job for trainee Callum

Brighton young learner Callum Evans has profoundly changed his life after finding his calling in the NHS – thanks to his dedication and key support from Skills Training UK.

The 20-year-old, from Brighton, almost enrolled onto an IT course at a local college but his instincts told him to pursue his lifelong passion of cooking. He passed a catering qualification and found work in a café, but he was left unfulfilled.

Eventually, Callum was referred by his local Jobcentre Plus to Skills Training UK, where he gained a wide range of industry-leading skills and qualifications – as well as a pivotal work placement at Mill View Hospital in his home town.

Callum even won the hospital’s coveted ‘Extra Mile’ award while working on the wards.

Craig Mooney, Facilities Manager at Mill View Hospital, said: “Callum was keen and showed potential straight away. He was quickly adopted as ‘the lovely, polite new boy’.

“He has become a substantive and valued member of the team. Senior nurses have recognised his interpersonal skills and attitude towards the patients on the wards and we’re just so proud to have him.

“Callum is considering a change of career to work with the clinical health teams – we would encourage his career development and I can see nothing but a bright future for him.

“We took on a number of young learners and they were well supported by Skills Training UK, as was I, both before and during the placement. It was a very successful scheme and many of the candidates that went into nursing were offered bank work and healthcare positions with the NHS.

“I have recommended Skills Training UK to my colleagues to help with recruitment across our hospital, and I am looking forward to running the work experience placement scheme again.”