We support local young people who are interested in pursuing healthcare careers by offering three-day clinical and non-clinical work experience placements.
We have two placement blocks available (13 to 16 July 2026 and 20 to 24 July) with placements across varying departments.
Applications for placements will be opening in the new year. If you are interested, please email gwh.work.experience@nhs.net to be updated when applications are live.
To be elibible to apply, you must be:
- Aged 16 or above at time of placement
- Residing at an address within 19 miles of Great Western Hospital
- Not currently studying towards a registered qualification or requiring placement hours for a post-16 qualification (e.g. NVQ, BTEC, T Level)
We can only accept applications made through the work experience team, please do not contact departments directly.
DFN Project Search
DFN Project Search is a one-year transition to work programme designed to challenge and change cultures, demonstrating how young people with a learning disability can enrich the workforce.
The programme provides vital work-based learning opportunities at the Trust, with a view to developing employment skills as well as providing hands-on experience in the workplace.
This programme is open to individuals aged 18-25 but applicants must live in Swindon and an Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan is required.
If you or someone you know is interested, email projectsearch@newcollege.ac.uk or supportedemployment@swindon.gov.uk
Pathway to the Future
This programme offers students a new route into careers in healthcare to ensure that the NHS locally have a strong pipeline of talent ready to join the service.
Numbers vary each year but an average of 12 students are selected from the New College Swindon, Health and Social Care course and the programme equips them with vital employment skills for leading a successful career in the future.
Throughout the academic year, students participating in this programme will attend sessions hosted by the Trust, exploring various topics including work readiness, mental health awareness, cultural sensitivity, and career planning, among others.
For more information on Health and Social Care courses visit the New College website or speak to your Programme Leader.
T Levels
T Levels are 2-year courses which are taken after GCSEs and are broadly equivalent in size to 3 A Levels, developed in collaboration with employers and education providers so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for entry into skilled employment, an apprenticeship or related technical study through further or higher education.
T Levels offer students practical and knowledge-based learning at a school or college and on-the-job experience through an industry placement of at least 315 hours – approximately 45 days. T Levels require students to undertake both a technical qualification and an industry placement with an employer.
Our successful T Level placement students spend Year 1 with the Volunteering Services team and Year 2 with their specialist hosting team. We work closely with local colleges to ensure a fair and transparent selection process.
Dare 2 Programme
Are you a year 12, T Level, A Level, NVQ 3 or equivalent student?
Join us in person for a day packed with inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and gain an insight into the Healthcare Support Worker roles, care and nursing roles, Allied Health Professional roles and Midwifery roles. Understand how you can contribute to making a difference.
If you are interested, please email gwh.work.experience@nhs.net for more information.
Teacher encounters
A teacher encounter provides an opportunity for teachers to engage directly with employers to see and learn about the different career pathways relevant to their subjects, and to observe how their subject is applied practically in business.
Teachers can then meaningfully use these insights to enrich their curriculum teaching, helping their students build a deeper understanding of opportunities, connections between learning and industry and the essential skills that need to be honed for different roles. There are a number of pathways and routes into employment, in particular technical and vocational options like apprenticeships. This knowledge can empower educators to effectively support students to take their best next step.
If you are interested, please email gwh.work.experience@nhs.net for more information.