News

An innovative recruitment program is turning traditional work experience on its head and providing career pathways for the next generation

May 07, 2012

Forget filing and answering phones, the high school students participating in Ramsay WA’s NextGen Plus program are getting a real taste for the working environment of a hospital.

NextGen Plus, now in its fifth year, is the only program of its kind in Australia where a hospital runs a comprehensive recruitment campaign at the high school level.

Working at one of the four Ramsay WA hospitals one day a week over 15 weeks, Year 11 and 12 students are supervised by qualified staff and receive real on the job experience whether witnessing births, preparing patient meals, observing a surgical procedure, working with accounts payable or assisting with grounds and building maintenance.

Anne Green, Regional Training and Development Manager said the NextGen Plus program is focused on developing employability skills and maturity in students who can then go on to be part of the Ramsay Health Care team.

“NextGen Plus is part of our long term workplace strategic plan where we are creating career pathways for young people to build Ramsay WA’s workforce for the future. The program has proved highly successful over the years with retention of our first students from 2008,” said Ms Green.

The program has had more than 168 students participate, with 35 students being employed to date. Each year, Ramsay WA increases the number of placements - 60 are available in 2012.

Interested Year 11 and 12 students can apply online by way of a formal cover letter and CV and shortlisted candidates go on to be interviewed by a panel of Ramsay staff.

Chris Minchin, Regional Coordinator of NextGen Plus said that the students find the program highly rewarding.

“The fact that 98 per cent of our Year 11 students go on to reapply for participation during Year 12 demonstrates the value of NextGen Plus to the students,” said Mr Minchin.

Chris Minchin gives 60 high school presentations across the Perth metro area each year to educate students, teachers and parents on the diverse range of jobs available in the health sector.

“Often people only think of career opportunities in a hospital environment in terms of being a doctor or a nurse. We are showing students that the hospital environment requires a broad range of skilled professionals. Careers in trades, catering, business, finance, marketing, human resources are all on offer,” said Mr Minchin.

Though NextGen Plus has been running at all four Ramsay WA hospitals since 2008, official launches are being held at Hollywood Private Hospital, Glengarry Private Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus on Wednesday 9 May to celebrate the program’s success.

The Honourable Peter Collier, Minister for Training and Workforce Development will be attending the launch at Glengarry Private Hospital.

To find out more about NextGen Plus please contact Chris Minchin on 9346 6568 or email minchinc@ramsayhealth.com.au

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Ramsay Health Care is Australia’s largest private hospitals operator. In WA, Ramsay admits over 100,000 patients per year and employs more than 4,200 staff across Attadale, Hollywood and Glengarry Private Hospitals and Joondalup Health Campus.

For more information on Ramsay WA please visit www.oneramsay.com.au