Health IT apprenticeship launched

The City of Liverpool College and Health Academy North West have launched a health informatics cadet apprenticeship.

The scheme, which is run in partnership with Health Education North West, Information Skills Development, the Health and Social Care Information Centre and local NHS trusts, aims to give young people a stepping stone into a career in health technology.

Jacqui Griffith-Evans, curriculum team leader at the college said that health informatics is creating lots of job opportunities for local youngsters who are interested in the technology and health sectors.

“The role can involve everything from developing new electronic health records to exploring patient data to identify trends in diseases and treatment,” she said.

The apprenticeship aims to support young people to learn practical skills that will improve their chance of employment.

“This new apprenticeship will give an access route to young people interested in pursuing a career in an emerging specialism,” said Griffith-Evans.

The first group of cadets has already completed a six-week induction course which covered both healthcare and ICT curriculum areas.

The next step is for them is to go into placements with information management departments in NHS organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside. These will see them working four days a week in NHS organisations, with a further day per week spent in college.

The apprentices will study their diploma at the college and be employed by the National Skills Academy Health’s Apprenticeship Training Agency throughout their apprenticeship.

Students on the apprenticeship scheme will gain a level 2 health informatics extended diploma qualification.