FINAL GPSJ Summer edition 2024 ONLINE VERSION.2pdf - Flipbook - Page 26
GPSJ
NHS & HEALTHCARE
The Prince’s Trust and Sectra help more
young people into tech careers
A new initiative between The
Prince’s Trust and medical
imaging IT and cybersecurity
company Sectra, is helping to
widen access to technology
career opportunities for young
people from different
backgrounds.
‘Get into IT and Administration’,
a new digital and technologyfocused employability programme,
was launched in Belfast during
the summer. It has been actively
supporting under-represented
groups, to help more young people
gain a better understanding of
career opportunities available to
them in technology.
Having already supported its first
intake, the initiative has provided
real-world exposure to what it is like
to work in the health tech sector, as
well as providing practical support in
areas such as CV writing, technical
training, and industry insights.
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Direct career pathways through
apprenticeships with Sectra are also
being provided.
Yousif, one of the programme’s
first participants, said: “The handson experience and exposure to realworld challenges showed me how
impactful and rewarding a career in
this field can be. The team at Sectra
were incredibly knowledgeable and
supportive and it was inspiring to
see how they use technology to
make a difference in the world.”
Young people who have taken
part in the programme commented
on how it had helped to build their
confidence, develop practical skills,
and create networking opportunities
for their future careers.
Lauren, who took part in the
programme, said: “This experience
has made me really excited for any
future prospects in technology. If
you get the opportunity to go onto a
programme, I would say to go for it.
You will get new experiences from it
and get to know new people.”
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL SUMMER 2024
Over the past two years, The
Prince’s Trust has helped more
than 2000 young people into digital
and technology engagement and
employability programmes.
However, with inequalities still
widening, The Trust hopes to
support more disadvantaged
communities, and engage with more
of the hardest-to-reach individuals,
by strengthening support through
programmes such as the new
initiative with Sectra.
Julia Beaumont, Chief Technology
Officer, at The Prince’s Trust, said:
“Through our partnership with
Sectra, we’re able to challenge
existing perceptions and inspire
young people from all backgrounds
to consider careers in the digital and
technology space, regardless of the
barriers they might face.
“It is crucial for governments,
businesses, and charities to
unite in providing young people
with employability training, career
opportunities, and the technical
skills that are vital in today’s job
market. Through partnerships
with passionate and dedicated
organisations like Sectra, we are
harnessing expertise and making
this vision a reality.”
Jane Rendall, Managing Director
for Sectra in the UK and Ireland,
said: “We have been extremely
impressed by the energy and
enthusiasm shown by individuals
taking part in our initiative with The
Prince’s Trust.
“Health technology companies
have an opportunity and a
responsibility to embrace diversity
in their workforce, by recruiting from
the communities in which they are
privileged to serve.
“This programme is an example
of putting that into practice, and is
a fantastic opportunity to help to
empower more young people to
reach their potential in a sector that
touches the lives of so many.”