University Hospitals Birmingham drives huge turnout at LSST Birmingham
By James Platt, Career & Employability Officer, LSST Birmingham Campus
Over 100 LSST students on our Health and Social Science course (and some recent LSST graduates) showed up to meet Pete Forsland, External Engagement Service Manager, from the Education team of University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Trust at LSST Birmingham on 26 February 2024.
Pete has been working for the NHS in different capacities for over 15 years and graduated later in life with an English degree, living proof, that you never know where a degree will take you. Pete came to Birmingham to tell the students all about the support that is on offer to them once they’ve finished their degree to help them land a role within the NHS.
While there is a lot of information online about NHS careers (visit www.jobs.uhb.nhs.uk/) the education team does a brilliant job taking on cohorts of jobseekers looking to break into roles such as trainee nurses, healthcare assistants and many more. Through 1-1 support and training courses they can support those who are struggling with NHS applications to get their dream job. Pete shared a story about a lady who he had helped 10 years ago into a healthcare assistant role, she had taken on all the training and advice from her colleagues, and she is now a matron nurse!
Pete also offered some top tips for NHS application forms and interviews before opening up the floor to questions. The students were extremely enthusiastic and had come armed with plenty of questions about their situations and what they wanted to do. Many people will fumble at the very first question of ‘tell me about yourself’, but Pete says ‘settle into the interview, don’t just list out your work history, be yourself and just tell them about who you are, what you’ve done and what you’re looking for.’
When filling out your application form for NHS jobs you’re allowed roughly 1,500 characters for your supporting statement, Pete added that most will only use about 200 or so, so take the initiative and put the effort into your statement.
We’d like to thank Pete for his time, and we look forward to building this partnership in the future.
If you’re looking for a role in the NHS and you couldn’t make it to the event, book an appointment with your local campus careers officer today!
For current UHB jobs visit: www.jobs.uhb.nhs.uk/