Stansted Airport College inspires plans for health and science academy backed by Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Stansted Airport College is the model for a new health and science academy backed by the Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT).

Trust chief executive Thom Lafferty visited the campus to learn more about how it trains teenagers for jobs in the aviation industry. He was joined on his fact-finding mission by Jamie Coates, head of people, resourcing and retention at PAHT.

The £11m technical skills college, opened in 2018, is the first purpose-built on-site college at a major UK airport. It already plays a crucial role in providing Stansted Airport with skilled on-site workers, backed by qualifications offered by its parent organisation, Harlow College.

PAHT signed a ‘memorandum of understanding’ with Harlow College last year. As strategic partners, they have agreed to develop a purpose-built health and science academy at Harlow College.

One of the trust’s strategic objectives is to directly align Harlow College’s health and science curriculum with roles in health and care for East Herts and West Essex.

Mr Lafferty said: “The visit to Stansted Airport College was very insightful, giving us the opportunity to see first-hand how the facility supports young people with hands-on training experience and supports apprenticeships in the aviation industry.

“The prospect of a health and science academy to support young people into the health care sector is very exciting too and we look forward to working with Harlow College to develop that further and bring the concept to life.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work closely with Harlow College to support young people to gain the skills and knowledge to help them gain access to a wide variety of careers on offer at PAHT, including healthcare support workers, porters, cleaning and catering staff, which involve the use of simulated ward environments and new, virtual reality simulation technology.”

Victoria Clayden Smith, head of centre at Stansted Airport College, said: “Our students showcased their industry skills for Thom and colleagues.

“They could see the work readiness skills and how we develop young people’s knowledge, skills and behaviours. We talk to students about how any visitor to the college could be your next employer.

“We were particularly impressed with one of our engineering students, Abdul, who took the opportunity to put himself forward as a possible apprentice.”

Harlow College principal Karen Spencer added: “It was a pleasure to welcome Thom to Stansted Airport College and discuss how Harlow College developed it as a centre of technical excellence, supporting a major employer.

“Thom could see how we could translate the model to the healthcare sector and we are excited to be developing our partnership with PAHT.”

PAHT already supports several initiatives at Harlow College, including a supported internship programme which helps young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into employment.

After the first programme, three interns got jobs with the trust, two were employed elsewhere, one moved to an additional education programme and two continued as volunteers at the Harlow hospital.

There are eight interns currently and recruitment is under way for the third programme starting in September.

In March, PAHT welcomed its first cohort of T-level health students from Harlow College at the start of a two-year programme. The course combines classroom theory, practical learning and a minimum of 315 hours of work experience.

Students have placements in departments including audiology, the eye unit, theatres, maternity and the OPAL (older persons assessment and liaison) unit.

Last year, the trust introduced a “volunteer to career” pathway and two recruits have already used skills learned as volunteers to secure jobs.

In addition, bespoke recruitment events for Harlow College health and science students generated 10 job offers.