As with any profession, there is usually a trodden path that the majority of people take into a career in healthcare. It often involves getting a degree.
While university is still a reliable option for young people hoping to enter into the profession, there is also a variety of other routes you can take at any age.
What’s more, apprenticeships are rapidly gaining in popularity among both school leavers and employers. According to Skills for Health analysis, more than 12,500 apprenticeships were completed in the health sector between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.
The health service also has a huge range of non-clinical roles available and there are multiple entry routes into a career that allows employees to make a huge difference to patient care.
What alternative routes into the healthcare sector exist? What apprenticeships are available? How do they work? What are the benefits and challenges associated with different ways into a job in healthcare? What are the options available?
Join us at noon on Tuesday 26 April to discuss these questions and more.
The panel so far
Sophie Graham, national careers service adviser, Skills Funding Agency
Courtenay White, former apprentice, now clerical assistant, Bradford district care NHS foundation trust
Angelo Varetto, head of national occupational standards, qualifications and apprenticeships, Skills for Health
Candace Miller, director, National Skills Academy for Health
Lisa Atkin, programme lead, NHS Employers
Joel Carmody, apprentice at St Peter’s medical centre, Harrow
Charlotte Turnham, business administration apprentice, Addenbrooke’s hospital
The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). You may also get in touch via sarah.johnson@theguardian.com or @GdnHealthcare (#healthcarecareers) on Twitter.
Discussion commissioned and controlled by the Guardian, funded by Skills for Health
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