Hand-picked year 12 students from Bradford visited the American Embassy, toured the House of Commons and met civil servants at the Department of Health as part of a new programme that is developing young leaders for the NHS.

Step into the NHS – the first programme of its kind in the UK – was developed by Sabiya Khan, workforce development facilitator at NHS Bradford and Airedale.

It is a work experience programme to help students interested in healthcare learn more about work in the NHS.

Sabiya said: “The aim of the programme is to broaden students’ perspective to think beyond nurses and doctors. The programme includes the leadership element which is about enabling students from Bradford to aspire high and consider leadership as a quality that is required in all careers.

“The project has come about with support from Aimhigher and Bradford University, who are committed to creating a highly-innovative programme for local students who often have narrow perspectives about jobs and careers in the NHS.

“This programme will enable the students to work together and share experiences which will have a positive impact on their future careers and plans.” Richard Wilkinson, director of Aimhigher Bradford, said: “The aim is to get potential graduates to think about the wider NHS workforce. It isn’t just clinical because, as Europe’s biggest employer, the NHS has many professional opportunities like accounts, estates and human resources.”

Competition for the programme was high and prospective students were assessed on group work, presentations and a personal profile.

Placements are key with students choosing between clinical placements with, for example, a speech therapist or broader placements with NHS departments like estates.

The American Embassy visit was instructive about leadership in the American health sector and the House of Commons visit was to meet the new MP for Bradford East David Ward.