Vocational Pathways

The purpose of RDaSH NHS Foundation Trust's Vocational Service is to help people flourish beyond expectations, giving those who face the most disadvantage in the labour market the opportunity to succeed in learning and work. They achieve this by providing employment and training opportunities, with practical experience and skills-building being a key feature.

They offer practical placements and mentoring within our trading services, enabling people to build essential skills.

Learners are supported to reflect on their essential skills prior to starting a vocational placement, by completing a self-assessment. They have mapped the essential skills against the core competencies required for entry level jobs in specific sectors (based on apprenticeship standards), thus enabling learners to set skills-focused goals based on their career aspirations.

They have designed a reflective log using the Skills Builder framework, to support learners to engage in reflective practice throughout the duration of their placement. They have mapped the essential skills against practical competencies which would be required for an accredited level 2 diploma (sector specific) thus preparing learners for formal education/training in future.

At the end of the placement, the learner, mentor and supervisor will complete a formal review of learning, with a written summary of achievements structured using the essential skills framework.