From classroom to career: Barts Life Sciences’ innovative approach to local workforce development 

As we celebrate the opening of Barts Life Sciences’ second learning hub in Waltham Forest, we spoke to Andrew Attfield, Associate Director of Public Health for Barts Health NHS Trust, and Agnieszka Wrobel, Healthcare Horizons Programme Manager, who shared their candid thoughts on the urgency of engaging the local community, the pressing need to upskill the future workforce, and how these efforts are pivotal in tackling the significant healthcare challenges we face, both nationally and globally. 

Note: The views expressed herein are solely those of the authors. 

What are the global and national trends in healthcare employment and health disparities, and how do they influence your work? 

Globally and nationally, we’re witnessing a declining labour market for young people and an ageing workforce. To address these challenges, it’s essential to focus on developing and training a local workforce. East London, with its dynamic and ambitious young population, presents a great opportunity. Our experience has shown that with the right support, young people from diverse backgrounds can thrive in healthcare careers. We’ve successfully guided over 800 young people into higher education and more than 300 into work or apprenticeships. Nurturing local talent is vital not only for our health services but also for the life sciences sector. 

How is Barts Life Sciences tackling these challenges, and why is this work so crucial? 

Navigating a career in the NHS can be daunting, especially for young people who may not be aware of the over 350 career paths available. Securing work experience can also be challenging for those without connections in the field, creating significant barriers to entry. At Barts Life Sciences, we are dedicated to breaking down these barriers.  

Through initiatives like our Healthcare Horizons Programme, which is focused on school outreach, and the Barts Health Futures learning hubs, which are partnerships with local FE Colleges, we are making these opportunities more accessible. Our first Barts Health Futures hub at Newham College was a major step forward in providing training and career support tailored to our community’s needs.  

Building on this success, our new Barts Health Futures hub in Waltham Forest will further expand our reach, offering additional resources and support for healthcare training, with a focus on elderly care. This aligns with the ageing population and the nearby Whipps Cross Hospital specialism in care for the elderly. 

We’re also excited to announce the creation of another hub at City of Islington College, in association with St Bartholomew’s Hospital, set to open later this year.  All of our facilities will continue our mission to provide young people with the tools, training and opportunities they need to thrive in healthcare careers. 

What insights have you gleaned from community outreach, and how are you challenging conventions? 

Post-Covid, we’ve found it increasingly difficult to inspire young people to pursue careers in the NHS. This challenge is partly due to negative press, recent strikes, and comparatively lower pay compared to the private sector, making career outreach programmes more crucial than ever. 

We’ve also observed a strong interest in apprenticeship pathways among young people, especially at the degree level. However, such opportunities within the NHS are quite limited and often focused on career progression for existing staff, rather than attracting new talent. 

In addition, some groups require very intensive engagement and support – resources that many Trusts currently lack. In East London, where there is a wealth of ambitious young people, many are unaware of the full spectrum of healthcare careers, and those from underrepresented backgrounds face additional barriers. 

Recognising these challenges has led us to rethink our approach. We are now focusing on more personalised and community-driven engagement strategies to better connect with young individuals and highlight the diverse career opportunities available in healthcare. 

What are the current challenges in reaching, attracting, and training young people from the local community, and how can these be overcome? 

One of the main challenges in reaching and attracting young people to careers in the NHS is that many face significant barriers to entry. For starters, there’s often a lack of essential qualifications, such as Maths and English GCSEs, which are frequently required for entry-level jobs. Additionally, we’ve observed a rise in mental health issues among young people since Covid, which can affect their ability to start and maintain employment. 

There are also issues related to experience and perceptions. Many young people feel that the health sector is difficult to break into without existing connections or a university degree. This misconception is compounded by a lack of relevant work experience, which can lead to misunderstandings about the sector’s requirements. Additionally, many young people are seeking greater flexibility and a better work-life balance than what is often available – or perceived to be available – in NHS roles. 

The recruitment process itself can also be a barrier. It tends to be quite lengthy and cumbersome, which is not well-suited to the younger generation. Many young applicants struggle to obtain the necessary references and are overwhelmed by the numerous forms and procedures. The standard interview questions often focus on past experience, which many young people lack, rather than assessing their potential or values. 

To address these challenges, we need to implement tailored pre-employment training programmes that focus on preparing young people for the NHS roles. This approach should include creating clear apprenticeship pathways up to degree level, which would attract more young people to the sector. Increasing work experience opportunities is also crucial to help them better understand the roles available. 

It’s not just about running awareness campaigns; we need systemic change. The Horizons Programme, funded initially by the JP Morgan Chase Foundation and supported by Barts Charity and the Princes’ Trust, is a good example of how we can address these issues. By providing mentorship, career guidance, and practical experience, the programme has already engaged over 3,000 young people and supported 461 in pursuing health-related degrees, with 307 securing employment. This kind of initiative is essential for overcoming the barriers and encouraging more young people to consider and succeed in careers within the NHS. 

Are there enough outreach and training facilities to support the workforce needs of the future? If not, what could be done about that? 

Currently, while local schools and Trusts’ training facilities offer a solid foundation for promoting NHS careers, there are gaps in how effectively they support the workforce needs of the future. Many Trusts run ambassador schemes to engage with students and promote NHS careers, but these schemes often lack integration into the overall organisational strategies. Ambassadors, who are enthusiastic about their roles, frequently have to take annual leave to participate in career talks and events, which can be a barrier to sustained engagement. 

To address this, we could introduce protected time for these activities and recognise them as part of professional development. This would not only support the ambassadors but also ensure that their efforts are more closely aligned with organisational goals. 

Furthermore, strengthening partnerships with local colleges and schools, such as through initiatives like our Newham Hub, could foster closer ties between the local community and NHS Trusts. By creating more collaborative programmes and pathways, we can better prepare and attract future talent, ensuring that outreach and training facilities are more effectively supporting the NHS workforce needs. 

In such a dynamically changing environment, how do we ensure training stays in line with market needs? 

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare sector, it’s crucial that our training programmes keep pace with market demands. Unfortunately, many existing training packages are outdated and do not reflect the latest industry trends and technological advancements. To address this, we need to implement comprehensive training needs analyses regularly. These analyses are essential to identify gaps and ensure that our training evolves in line with current market requirements. 

Additionally, it’s important to consider that different generations have varied learning preferences and styles. Our training programmes should be flexible and adaptable, catering to these diverse learning needs. By staying informed about industry changes and being responsive to different learning approaches, we can ensure that our training remains relevant and effectively prepares our workforce for the challenges ahead. 

Is there an opportunity for wider cross-Borough or cross-London collaboration on skills and training for the Life Sciences industry? 

Absolutely. Expanding collaboration across Boroughs and throughout London presents a significant opportunity to better address workforce needs in the life sciences industry. By pooling resources and sharing best practices, we can create a more cohesive and effective strategy for workforce development. Many roles within health sciences are highly specialised, so it’s crucial for potential employers to work together. This collaboration can make training programmes more attractive and viable, ultimately strengthening the sector and ensuring a well-prepared workforce. 

How do we ensure local communities aren’t left behind? Is it already too late? 

The rapid evolution of the life sciences sector means now is the crucial time to support disadvantaged communities. If we don’t act, these communities risk further marginalisation and increasing inequalities. University and business partnerships are essential for ‘levelling up’ disadvantaged areas, providing the necessary resources and innovation. The NHS, as a major service provider, must also innovate to ensure that advancements in life sciences benefit everyone. While there are challenges, the pathways to these careers remain open, and there is still an opportunity to make a significant difference. 

What are Barts Life Sciences’ plans for the future, and how will these initiatives benefit the local community? 

Barts Life Sciences is committed to integrating cutting-edge industry into the East End, making it a vibrant and essential part of the community. Our vision is to align local aspirations with opportunities in healthcare and life sciences, addressing skills gaps through ongoing collaboration with educational institutions and local organisations. The Life Sciences development in North-East London, with its major centres in both Whitechapel and Canary Wharf, represents a significant opportunity. It will create thousands of jobs for the local community across a range of disciplines or job types. Our aim is to foster a thriving, inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to pursue fulfilling careers and contribute to improved health outcomes. 

About the Authors 

Andrew Attfield is Associate Director of Public Health at Barts Health NHS Trust. He leads on anchor institution work, focusing on addressing health inequalities through employment and careers, alongside health improvement and prevention in NHS contexts. Andrew’s previous experience includes regeneration, economic, and community development in East London within the Voluntary and Community Sector and Local Authority settings. 

Agnieszka Wrobel works as a Healthcare Horizons Programme Manager for Barts Health NHS Trust, one of the largest employers in East London. In her current role she is responsible for the development, implementation, and day to day management of widening participation and employment programmes for local young people. She has got over seven years’ experience in managing community engagement projects. Agnieszka is passionate about creating career pathways and employment opportunities for young people who are the most affected by health and socio-economic inequalities.