Hundreds attend NHS Career Café and Apprenticeship event at John Radcliffe Hospital

More than 350 young people, parents, teachers and career changers attended another successful NHS Careers Café and Apprenticeship event hosted by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) on Monday 2 March.

Held at the John Radcliffe Hospital as part of National Careers Week (2–8 March), the event showcased the wide range of careers and progression routes available across the NHS. Visitors were able to meet staff from OUH, alongside partners including Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS), and Oxford Brookes University.

With around 30 interactive stalls representing clinical, scientific, technical, and corporate professions, the event offered attendees the chance to explore the breadth of roles within the NHS and gain valuable, first-hand insight into the pathways that support patient care.

Attendees engaged in hands-on demonstrations and learned about training routes, university pathways, and the wide range of apprenticeships available. The event also included two key talks: a work experience and apprenticeships session, and a lively careers question time panel where visitors posed their questions directly to NHS professionals.

The Careers Café and Apprenticeship event supports OUH’s commitment to widening participation and helping young people – particularly those in Years 10–13 – understand how they can begin a future career in healthcare. 

Shilpa Bhatt, Widening Participation and Schools Engagement Lead in the Practice Education Team at OUH, said:
"It was fantastic to see so many young people and families connecting with our teams and discovering just how many career paths the NHS offers. The energy and knowledge that staff brought to their stands created a perfect blend of interaction and insight. I’m sure this experience will encourage many young people to consider a career in the NHS."

Laura Farrow, Digital, Engagement and People Services Partner at SCAS, said:
"Events like these play a vital role in informing students about potential career pathways and supporting them in understanding how to achieve their aspirations. By engaging with independent experts, students gain valuable insights into career opportunities and the necessary entry requirements. We were extremely impressed by the high turnout of students and parents at the event. 

"It was genuinely heartwarming to see such strong interest in pursuing careers within the NHS. The enthusiasm and energy shared among attendees, representatives, and specialists created a truly positive atmosphere which contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable evening."

Claire Wardle, Health and Care Support Workforce Education Senior Specialist, at NHS England – South East, added: 
"The event was a real success; full of energy, great multi - profession engagement, and inspiring curiosity from young people excited about the wide range of NHS careers"

Yvonne Christley, Chief Nursing Officer at OUH, said:
"Our staff are our greatest strength, and this event showcased the passion, skill, and dedication of teams across the Trust. Whether visitors were learning about medicine, nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, healthcare science, therapies or our corporate professions, they were able to see first‑hand what makes working in the NHS so rewarding. 

"We are committed to supporting the next generation into fulfilling and meaningful careers, and it was fantastic to welcome so many aspiring healthcare professionals. Thank you to all staff, volunteers, and partners who contributed to making this event a success."