Pathway To Careers In Health And Care Sector

Over 100 students attended a recent event, organised by the Pathway+ project of Denbighshire County Council, looking to gain an insight into employment in the Health and Care sector. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Students from Ysgol Brynhyfryd (Ruthin), Denbigh High School and Prestatyn High School who are studying health and social care at school or are interested in a future career in the sector, listened to presentations given by Care Council Wales, Bangor University and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The presentations included information on early years learning, social work, nursing, health care support workers, pathology and radiology. Afterwards students were able to talk on a more informal basis to staff from the sectors as well as discussing their future career pathways with learning providers. On hand were nurses, radiologists, pathologists, physiotherapists, social workers, early years workers etc plus representatives from Careers Wales, Coleg Cambria and North Wales Training who were able to offer students advice and guidance on future career pathways, and the qualifications and skills they would require to enter the profession. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Students who attended the event said it gave them a good insight into the various sectors within health and social care, and that the information would not only support them in their studies but also when they came to make decisions about future careers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sandy Grieve from Care Council Wales said: “It was an enjoyable event and my colleague and I had some interesting discussions with the students. It is very important to have events such as this, and whilst we know it will not tick every young students’ box as they think of their different careers, it is an excellent idea and we hope this continues”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Elizabeth Mason from Bangor University and Christine Cowley from Betsi Cadwalader felt that the event was worthwhile, as young people need to hear about future opportunities. They both agreed it was good to know that Denbighshire Education are supporting their young students in ensuring that they are given up to date information about future career pathways. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Jenni Edwards, Pathway+ Coordinator said: “It is important that young people are aware of the diversity of future careers in the various sectors, and make informed choices, also to be aware of the organisations who are able to give them clear, up to date information about available opportunities’. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​