South West SHA

A careers fair for health graduates, that was developed with the University of Plymouth, helped students explore a range of job opportunities in a tough labour market, to find their first job and retain valuable health skills.

The initiative that was organised jointly by the South West SHA and the University's Faculty of Health & Social Work, aimed to address student concerns following local media reports on the competitive job market and give them additional support.

The event attracted around 100 attendees who were either existing final year students or recent graduates who were still seeking their first post.

A range of employers from the public, private and third sector attended the event, including the armed forces, specialist recruitment agencies, care homes and charities, as well as Job Centre Plus. Topics included workforce planning, developing the right skills to prepare for their first job; considering the full range of employment opportunities across all sectors, preparing curriculum vitae, and using the e-recruitment site NHS Jobs to look for jobs.

Following the success of the first event, the university is now planning to run more for health students and graduates, and to develop the agenda further. As a result of feedback from attendees, the university is scoping additional areas to cover within its courses, for example, how to set up and run your own business for professions such as Physiotherapy and Dietetics.

More information

For more details contact Elaine Stratford, project manager at NHS South West, on telephone 01823 344311 or email elaine.stratford@southwest.nhs.uk or Michael Paisey, Marketing & Admissions Manager for the Faculty of Health & Social Work at the University of Plymouth, on telephone 01752 238556 or email michael.paisey@plymouth.ac.uk or visit www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=16940