An innovative NHS apprenticeship programme – designed to tackle the Isle of Wight’s unique youth employment challenges – was crowned Best Educational Programme in the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards.
The Careers for Young People (CfYP) Programme, developed in partnership by HTP Apprenticeship College and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s Community and Mental Health Services on the Isle of Wight, offers 16- to 18-year-olds a direct route into a wide range of NHS careers.
The programme, which also won a Nursing Times Workforce Team of the Year award in 2023, begins with a 6-month pre-apprenticeship, providing hands-on experience in clinical or business support services, followed by an 18-month apprenticeship with opportunities for further education and career progression.
Judges of the latest award praised the programme for its innovation and nationwide scalability, recognising its broader vision for social infrastructure.
18-year-old Kaitlyn Donovan was also recently awarded Apprentice of the Year at the Isle of Wight Radio 2025 Best in Business Awards.
Kaitlyn said:
“I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received throughout my apprenticeship. The Careers for Young People Programme has helped me grow in confidence and discover my passion for speech and language therapy.
“Starting at 17 was scary, but it gave me the chance to explore different healthcare roles. Now, I’m supporting stroke patients with their speech and communication and feel like a valued member of the team.”
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Through the programme, young people have gained access to 44 different placement areas within the NHS, showcasing the diverse range of services they can explore to discover the career path that suits them best. 100% of leavers from the first cohort have secured employment, and so far, 43 young people have been through the programme, representing 4% of the Island’s Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities workforce.
Nicola Longson, Director of Transformation and Improvement at the Trust, and Founder of the CfYP Programme, expressed her pride in the programme’s achievements, saying:
“We’ve proven that by investing in young people and supporting their development, we can build a sustainable workforce from within. This programme is a perfect example of how we’re tackling local employment challenges while also addressing the wider needs of the NHS.”
Rachael Randall, CEO of HTP Apprenticeship College, added:
“This incredible recognition – from the HSJ Partnership Awards to the Nursing Times win and Kaitlyn’s Isle of Wight Radio Award – highlights the real impact of the Careers for Young People Programme. It’s not just about awards; it’s about the opportunities we’re creating for young people on the Island.”
Looking ahead, the programme plans to expand beyond the NHS, with health and social care apprenticeships being introduced in the fourth cohort, for which recruitment is now finalising. The next steps involve rolling the model out to the mainland.
As the Careers for Young People Programme continues to grow, it remains committed to shaping the future of the NHS, health and social care by providing valuable career opportunities for young people and building a sustainable workforce for years to come.
When does the clapping commence.