The Duke of Cambridge will visit a ‘Step into Health’ military employment programme as part of a day focusing on veteran employment at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
The Duke of Cambridge will spent 12th October focusing on work to provide employment opportunities for military veterans. Ahead of His Royal Highness’s previously announced attendance at the MoD Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Awards, The Duke will visit a Step into Health programme at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. His Royal Highness will gain further insight into the programme and meet some of its current participants and graduates.
Step into Health is an initiative created by the NHS in conjunction with The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Walking With The Wounded. The programme provides a pathway from the military into the many career opportunities in the NHS. The NHS is the largest employer in Europe with in excess of 300 different career paths available, half of which are non-clinical.
Open to all Service Leavers and Veterans and their spouse or partner, Step into Health recognises the inherent skills gained in the armed forces and supports their journey into the civilian workplace. The programme creates individual work placements of up to 4 weeks that allow participants to explore the various career opportunities available in the NHS. For example, graduates of the programme have secured roles in areas such as catering, administration, management, communications and maintenance as well as roles in one of the clinical services.
In 2014 Step into Health ran its first pilot with the Norfolk & Norwich University Trust. 78% of those veterans who completed a work placement went on to either secure