Strengthening Our Partnership with the NHS
East Sussex College is proud to be strengthening its partnership with the NHS, working closely together to support the current and future workforce across Sussex.
Building on a collaboration that began last year, the partnership includes the launch of the NHS Career Pathway Academy - a strategic initiative developed with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to enhance workforce skills, improve patient care, and build future healthcare talent.
As one of the largest employers in the region, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust offers hundreds of career opportunities across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical roles. From engineering and digital to finance, business, hospitality and customer services, the NHS provides diverse pathways for people with different interests, skills and ambitions.
This growing collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing skills, creating clear progression routes, and responding to the evolving needs of the health and care sector - both on the frontline and behind the scenes.
A Partnership Built on Skills and Opportunity
Through its NHS partnership, East Sussex College helps learners progress in their careers, whether they are just beginning their journey, seeking new skills, or aiming for leadership positions.
The College is now working closely with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust across a wide range of areas, including T-Level placements in Engineering, Digital, Simulation Centre roles, Business Intelligence, Accountancy, Business Administration and Customer Services, giving learners hands-on experience within a major local employer and preparing them for real-world careers.
Specialists from the Trust also regularly visit the College to speak with learners, delivering guest lectures and insight sessions that highlight the breadth of careers available within the NHS and explain the different routes into the organisation.
Developing Leaders, Skills and Innovation
A key focus of the collaboration is working closely with NHS partners to shape and develop new curriculum aligned to workforce priorities. This ensures learners gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and professional behaviours required in modern healthcare and business environments.
The College and Trust are also collaborating on a bespoke management development programme for both clinical and non-clinical staff, supporting leadership skills, career progression and workforce retention across the organisation.
Innovation plays a growing role in the partnership, with plans underway to further develop our new immersive suites and virtual reality (VR) experiences. These will support both learners and NHS staff, offering realistic, engaging training environments that enhance learning and professional development.
In addition, the College and Trust are developing new work experience programmes for learners aspiring to become doctors, providing meaningful insight into the profession and helping young people make informed decisions about future study and careers.
Working Together with the NHS
“Our partnership with the NHS is a great example of how education and employers can work together to respond to real workforce needs,” said Vicki Orbell, Head of Business Development at East Sussex College. “By collaborating closely, we’re able to develop training, placements and progression routes that support both new entrants to the workforce and existing staff looking to upskill or progress their careers.”
She added, “Working with the NHS allows us to create meaningful pathways into a wide range of careers, not just clinical roles. It’s about investing in people, skills and the future workforce across our region.”
This employer-led approach ensures that training remains relevant, responsive and impactful - benefiting learners, employers and the wider community.
Real Voices from the NHS
As part of this collaboration, East Sussex College recently spoke with Sophie Douglas, Deputy Head of Apprenticeships & Widening Participation at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust from Eastbourne Hospital, who shared her perspective on working with the College and the positive impact of the partnership.
“Working with the college has enabled us to be able to identify some of the needs that we have across the trust, and this is something we are growing and developing for the future,” said Sophie.
“To be able to go, we need this course and this set of qualifications to help our teams to thrive. A local recent example is leadership, and actually understanding that through things like COVID, we’ve had a real gap of educational needs for our colleagues, so we’ve been able to work with them to develop a bespoke level to leadership course, and then they’ll be able to progress further into the existing courses.”
Her insight highlights the value of close collaboration between education and healthcare providers in developing confident, skilled professionals who are ready to make a difference.
Looking Ahead
This partnership with the NHS continues to grow. As workforce demands evolve, East Sussex College will work with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust to expand opportunities, develop new provision and support sustainable career pathways across both clinical and non-clinical roles.
Together, East Sussex College and the NHS are investing in skills, people and the future of healthcare and public services across Sussex.