SWAP course helps with new career in NHS

Amanda Pinney had a career job at the Leicestershire-based printing company, Greenshires, where, after 24 years, she was a supervisor. Then, in February 2024, the company went into administration and eventually closed down.

“I loved it there, and losing my job so suddenly was such a big shock,” Amanda says.

Amanda started to look around for other work opportunities. She continues: “I did some computer courses online as I wasn’t particularly tech-savvy and didn’t want to go back into printing. However, no-one replied to my job letters. I applied for and was rejected from around 10-12 jobs, including some in healthcare.”

Amanda started to go to job fairs, and at one such event, was introduced to representatives from the Leicester College City Skills Centre.

“I took an application form away with me and thought to myself that although it didn’t guarantee a job, I had nothing to lose as I would gain extra skills, and it felt like no-one was giving me a chance at the time,” says Amanda.

Signing up for adult learning

Amanda joined the NHS / LPT Sector Based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) level 1 at Leicester College, a four-week programme for anyone (19+) who is interested in working in the NHS.

The course equips students with the right qualifications and also offers support when completing applications for current Leicestershire Partnership Trust (LPT) and wider NHS vacancies in business administration, healthcare assistant, customer services, catering, estates, contact centres, facilities and estates, IT, HR and cleaning.

“The best thing I ever did”

“It turned out to the best thing that I ever did,” adds Amanda. “All of the tutors are so good, really friendly people. There was a bit of e-learning, which gave me more experience on computers. They teach you about the values of the NHS and help you with what to put in the application forms.

“I loved the programme and was upset when it finished! One of the tutors told me that I was ‘so employable’, which really boosted my confidence.”

A successful application

After finishing the course and qualifying, Amanda applied for and got an interview with the NHS. One of the NHS mentors from the course helped Amanda with a mock interview beforehand, and just two days after her real interview, Amanda heard that she’d got the job as a booking centre operative at Glenfield Hospital.

“I was so chuffed and really enjoy my job,” she comments.

A pathway into a career with the NHS

Amanda concludes: “At the time, I didn’t think that I’d get over losing my job, so it’s been great to get another chance by taking the SWAP course at Leicester College. For anyone in my position, I would thoroughly recommend looking at adult education courses and attending job fairs.

“The tutors were so patient and good with me; they couldn’t have been more helpful. I wouldn’t have got into the NHS without the course.”