By George Cash to support future workforce
Over the past two years we have all developed a new appreciation for all the staff throughout the NHS.
Before the pandemic many of us may have had limited interaction between themselves and those working in our health service.
I think that has been completely turned on its head. Of course, many people have had long experience of dealing with the NHS.
We already know about the work they do but under the circumstances that we have found ourselves, seeing them work in conditions that have never been seen before in this country. We continue to see the usual suspects exploit this for their own ends.
Last month the National Workforce Strategy for Health and Social Care was launched looking at the new challenges that we face, new ways to look after people and their health needs.
There have been developments in ensuring that those that work with in our health service have a career path that can be enhanced, supported, and developed.
The skill that these people have is something that we cannot afford to lose.
The people that we are talking about often have a vocation that is not associated with any other career.
The work is hard, stressful and can be heart breaking but the rewards of helping those in the direst of circumstances can not be matched. I cannot think of a career that is so important or worthwhile.
The number of staff within the NHS has increased for the last ten years in a row.
This increase will continue with the announcement of £15million extra by the Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf. These positions will be throughout hospitals and community care teams.
Under another initiative £4.5million has been used to increase international recruitment for 191 nurses.
The number will increase as we continue to recruit qualified staff.
We must also ensure that everyone in Scotland gets the chance to make the most of their opportunities no matter what background or circumstances that they find themselves.
In our Scotland we want those opportunities not only to exist but to be accessible. This not only demonstrates the fairness that we want to see, it ensures that we are as nation have the trained, qualified population required to have an economy with a well-paid work force.
The attainment gap must continue to be challenged. In Renfrewshire this year £4.3million has been provided to reduce the gap.
Money well spent for opportunities to be available to all.
We must also look at outcomes for young people coming out of school. One way of doing this is looking at positive destinations.
Those finding work or training, going on to college or university. In Renfrewshire we see that 96.5 per cent of our young people are following this positive path.
Modern apprenticeships are an important way for people to find the type of career they are interested in and get training and hands on experience of the workplace. In Renfrewshire 12,456 people have found modern apprenticeships.
Providing opportunities for everyone to find a career that is rewarding is something we should all be proud of.