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“Our NHS and social care staff have showed us time and again – throughout the pandemic and beyond – what it means to work with compassion and dedication to transform lives.” 

- Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay 

The opportunities in the Healthcare profession are almost entirely endless, and here at Weston College we think pursuing a career in Health is a great choice! 

Read on to find out our top 5 reasons why. 

1. Job Satisfaction: Making a difference 

9 times out of 10 the biggest lure to a career in Health is the immense impact you have on people’s lives on a daily basis. 

As our new Health and Social Care Secretary, Steve Barclay explains, working in the health sector means having the ability to positively impact and transform the lives of those in your care. Whether working as a Nurse, Midwife, Paramedic or Home Carer your role is infinitely significant to every single patient who’s path you cross; YOU can make a difference. 

Often your role will encompass even more than that too, with opportunities to interact and provide support for the patient’s family members and loved ones.  

You may be thinking ‘how does this apply to roles that aren’t patient-facing?’ Remember, every role in the Health industry has a monumental impact on a patient’s life and wellbeing. For example, chefs and cleaners are integral to creating a healthy and happy environment to ensure the patient’s comfort and state of mind is at optimum. Every role is important in healthcare!  

2. A Growing Industry 

The NHS is one of the biggest employers in Europe - employing just over 1.4 million people for a wide range of roles including Laboratory Technicians, Senior Healthcare Support Workers and  Nursing Associates. No matter what level or area of interest, there is a role for you!  

Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, says “this government is investing more than ever before in our NHS and care services to beat the COVID-19 backlogs, recruit 50,000 more nurses, reform social care and ensure patients across the country can access the care they need.” The rapid growth and work abundancy in this sector means you will always be in high demand, so you can enjoy excellent job security! 

Click the links above to find out more about these roles and the opportunities available in Health at Weston College. 

Alternatively, take a look at our T level, BTEC Extended diploma and degree-level pathways into the health industry to find the right fit for you! 

3. Working with People 

If you’re someone that excels in social environments, Health is a perfect industry for you – with teamwork being one of the most integral parts of the job. Working in the Health sector means being part of a huge, intertwining community with care and support at its core and positivity flowing throughout! 

4. Pays and Benefits 

The Healthcare profession offers a variety of perks. According to NHS pay and benefits the NHS has one of the most generous pension schemes on offer and as an NHS employee, you’ll have unique access to a health service discounts scheme too. 

Alternatively, you may decide to work for a private healthcare provider – many of which generously offer free life insurance, health screenings and training as part of their employment packages.  

In addition to this, you can also enjoy the benefit of a flexible work schedule and generous holiday allowance for most roles. 

5. You can Live Anywhere  

Finally, another reason pursuing a career in Health is a great choice, this profession allows you to live and work anywhere! Interested in travel or living abroad? Working in health means they’ll always be a job for you no matter where you go! 

If these 5 reasons left you feeling excited about your future in Health, find out more about all of pathways available at Weston College here! 

To find out about Higher Education opportunities in health at UCW click here. 

I have always been very passionate about a career in hairdressing, and my goal was always to become my own boss, to give me more flexibility, control, and motivation.

I started my journey over 20 years ago, as a student at Weston College, where I completed a Level 2 and 3, in Hairdressing and Barbering.

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at college, as it gave me the knowledge and the practical skills, to allow me to realise my dream and get to where I am today – owning my own salon, Creations by Gina.

Something which really benefited me when starting out, was gaining practical work experience. Now that I am a business owner, I support young people who are taking their first steps into this exciting industry.

Through doing this I have seen people develop their skills further, and it has brought other key benefits too, such as:

• Improved confidence
• Understanding of the job role
• Working as a team
• Enhanced communication skills
• Time management

It also offers learners the opportunity to gain experience in additional areas, such as working on reception and dealing with other brands – which is crucial in the industry.

I have found that offering these placements has also really benefited my business too. It allows me to meet people that are the future of the industry and assist in their development, which is fantastic for finding future recruits.

Weston College have supported me throughout my whole journey, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and knowledge with more learners in the coming years.

Gina, Owner of Creations by Gina

We have been working with Weston College since 2020 to create apprenticeship opportunities for local people to enter our organisation.

We have been so impressed, as apprenticeships have really helped us to further develop the business and create an energetic culture which has the desire and ability to perform whilst having fun.

Our most recent success story, Isaac, is a great example of how an apprenticeship can be beneficial for both a business and the apprentice. Isaac joined Brightside straight from secondary school and has developed into a highly motivated professional with a clear career path ahead with myBrightside.

When asked about the apprenticeship Isaac said: “I have really enjoyed working at myBrightside for the past year and enjoy coming to work! We have a great service which I strongly believe in a great team and some even better customers! I have been really impressed with the support from Weston College, and in particular my tutor Hannah, who has really helped me on my journey so far, as she is always available if I need support with college or even my day-to-day work. I’m very looking forward to the future working for myBrightside.”

Apprenticeships have made a remarkable difference to myBrightside and it is fantastic to see young adults with enthusiasm and the right attitude progress through and take on more responsibilities.

Weston College have been an excellent partner and have made the whole process easy and enjoyable. We thoroughly recommend working with their team!

Robbie McGregor, Director, myBrightside