Kendal College and the NHS have joined forces to deliver a new national health qualification.
The college is working with the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust on the health T-level, which will be available to students from September.
T-levels are technical alternatives, equivalent to three A-levels, that blend theory-based classroom activity and practical industry experience.
T-levels have been designed with leading employers, such as the NHS, to ensure students develop the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to prepare them for future employment.
Ray Olive, assistant director of people and organisational development at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Running a trust of this size requires dedicated work across multiple disciplines – nothing has spotlighted that more than the work to tackle the greatest health challenge of our time – COVID-19.
“Now, more than ever and post-pandemic we need enthusiastic and talented young people coming into the profession.
“And I can’t think of a better source of young, skilled, and ambitious candidates than those taking T-levels. I hope to welcome students from a range of T-level courses from Kendal College to help continue the brilliant work the trust has been doing in such strange and challenging times.”
Gayle Salt, director of curriculum at Kendal College, said: “The T-level qualification in health is an exciting opportunity for learners to gain both theoretical and practical experience, enabling learners to progress into health and social care related employment or onto a professional degree programme at university.
“Working with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust when planning and preparing this programme has been fantastic and enabled the design to meet both local and national needs in terms of current healthcare delivery, alongside identifying the wide range of fantastic career opportunities within the sector.”