Discover the latest Solving Together blogs here.

Blog from Paul Chapman MCSP DSA (csp)

Programme Manager – Education Reform (AHP), NHS England 

How do we attract more people who are looking to change career to find their new role working in health?

During my 40 years as both a physiotherapist and working more broadly in the NHS, I have worked with a lot of extraordinary people.

Many of these people had a previous career not related to physiotherapy or healthcare. I really noticed what extra diversity they brought to the workplace.  They had a wealth of transferable non-clinical skills. Those from the armed forces had skills such as teamwork punctuality and resilience, and those from the private sector were able to bring learning through different ways of working.  They all helped to enhance and support staff and the service to look at patient care delivery through a wider lens.

The recent pandemic has resulted in the highest number of people looking to change career. Recent research by NHS England included interviewing people from non-clinical jobs who had decided to change career and become an Allied Health Professional. The reasons for the change were varied. ‘I wanted to make an impact on people’s lives’, ‘I wanted to use transferable skills from my past career’, ‘I want to use my technical skills to help people’, ‘greater job security’, or ‘a job that fitted around family life’. All reason for change.

Diversity is essential if we are going to meet the needs of the population and develop a sustainable workforce. There is a clear drive to ensure we achieve diversity based on protected characteristics and this is always at the forefront of recruitment campaigns.  But do we miss other areas of diversity such as lived experience or skills from other sectors? Do we embrace the diversity career changers bring?

We need to ensure we attract those looking to use their existing skills, ensuring those changing careers can bring their lived experience and it will be valued by the health service.

Get involved in the Student Attraction conversations on how we can attract more people to healthcare careers.

This post was edited on Aug 5, 2024 by Julie Fisher