NHS trusts look at launching new apprenticeship programme (From The Westmorland Gazette)

NHS trusts look at launching new apprenticeship programme

12:48pm Thursday 29th January 2009 in

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A new public sector apprenticeship programme was one of the ideas discussed at a recent meeting of North West public sector leaders and chief executives, when they met last week to explore ways of supporting the region during the current economic down-turn.

The meeting – at the Liverpool Echo Arena in Liverpool – included an address from North West Minister Beverley Hughes and speeches from NHS North West’s chief executive, Mike Farrar, Wigan Council’s chief executive Joyce Redfearn and was supported by leaders from Government Office North West, the Regional Development Agency and the director of public health. Leaders of NHS trusts, emergency services and local government agreed that as major employers, they have a role in supporting people through the recession and need to take collective action on unemployment.

During the event, Mike Farrar outlined NHS North West’s manifesto around social value, in which the NHS as the region’s largest employer ensures that it pays its bills swiftly, develops new jobs and skills, uses local suppliers and creates more jobs by investing in building new primary care facilities and hospitals.

Chief executive Mike Farrar said: “These are difficult economic times and we at the NHS want to contribute to improving the employment situation. Only by collaboration between the major employers will the region get through this situation in the best possible shape.”