South Staffordshire College announces new NHS partnership for T Level Health learners 

South Staffordshire College is delighted to announce a new partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The partnership will offer valuable industry placement opportunities for our T Level Health learners studying at the college’s Cannock College campus.

The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust is offering student nurse style placements to the whole cohort of learners who are studying the T Level health course at Cannock College.

As part of their student nurse style placement opportunity, the T Level learners will gain first-hand experience working within real NHS environments. The learners will work across outpatient departments during the first year of their placement, before progressing to work on a ward in their second year. This staged approach will help students build confidence, understand different areas of patient care, and develop the professional skills expected within NHS settings.

Ahead of their placements starting in early 2027, the T Level learners will have access to the same type of training available to NHS employees, including an induction, dignity in care, patient moving and handling, safeguarding, infection prevention, equality and diversity, dementia awareness, mental health, cyber security, conflict resolution and basic life support.

Michelle Hickman-Smith, Deputy Head of Nurse Education, said: “Giving students the chance to experience working in a hospital is a great way to help them understand the different roles available in the NHS and the skills needed to care for patients.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting local young people, strengthening links between education and employment, and helping students understand the values, standards and responsibilities involved in working in healthcare. By opening placements to the whole Cannock College T Level group, the Trust is also helping to build a future pipeline of local talent who already have early insight into NHS careers, workplace expectations and patient care.

Lisa Shepherd, Work Experience Officer at South Staffordshire College, said: “The placement team at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has been welcoming, supportive, and highly professional. The clear guidance and expectations provided have given us confidence that our learners will have a positive and meaningful experience. We are incredibly excited to see them start their NHS placement journey and take this important step towards their future careers in healthcare.”

T Levels are two-year technical qualifications developed with employers to prepare young people for skilled employment, apprenticeships or higher education. Each learner completes a substantial industry placement, which is why strong employer partnerships are so important in helping learners apply their knowledge in real workplace settings.

Jo George, Curriculum Manager for Health at South Staffordshire College, added: “We are delighted to be developing this new partnership with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. It is a fantastic opportunity for our T Level Health students to gain valuable experience within the NHS, bringing their learning to life in a real healthcare environment. Our students are incredibly excited to begin their journey and take this important step towards their future careers in health.”

South Staffordshire College looks forward to working with The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust to support the training our T Level learners and to see what future employment opportunities the placement opportunity might open for our learners to work in the NHS and wider healthcare sector.