Published on April 29, 2004 at 8:04 AM
Britain's unemployed people will get the chance to work in the NHS as part of a new initiative launched today.
A pilot programme for the 'Ambition: Health' scheme is targeting areas of high unemployment that also have NHS skills shortages. It will also offer in-work support to encourage career progression.
'Ambition' has already helped around 2,000 people into sustainable jobs in other sectors such as construction, energy, IT and retail.
Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith said the scheme enables a number of objectives to be achieved through effective collaboration between government agencies. Jobcentre Plus, the NHS and the Learning and Skills Council are all making a contribution to 'Ambition: Health'.
"The NHS is acting not only as employer, but also as a key delivery partner, working to tackle skills shortages that can have an impact on the delivery of services to patients," said Mr Smith.
The pilots start on Merseyside this September and in South Yorkshire in the New Year.
http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/