New partnership creates apprenticeships in Rochdale

NHS Trust and Hopwood Hall College

A new partnership between Hopwood Hall College and North Manchester Pennine Acute Trust is aimed at generating new career gateways in Rochdale.

The bespoke programme has been designed to meet the specific skills needed by the NHS.

Classroom study at Hopwood Hall College will allow apprentices to develop technical knowledge by completing a Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care.

Lesley Hawkins, Skills for Life Manager at Hopwood Hall, said: “In my opinion, apprenticeships are an underrated career gateway that can provide the perfect base for businesses to gain tailor made employees.

"The benefits to the community are also huge. Professional apprenticeships like these NHS vacancies can give the people, often from areas struggling for employment such as this, the opportunity to apply themselves in a real career they can care about and excel in.

"As a part of Hopwood Hall’s apprenticeship team, it gives me immense pride to be able to strike up a partnership with the NHS. As someone who has been involved in developing apprenticeships in various areas for a while now, I find it a really encouraging sign of growth in the area.”