Sector Based Work Academy

The Sector Based Work Academy (SBWA)

The SBWA Programme runs twice a year at the Salford Care Organisation and has supported many local unemployed people into what we call our entry level jobs such as Clinical Support Workers and Medical Laboratory Assistants. It is a national award-winning programme run in partnership with Salford City College and the Job Centre Plus.

If you have an interest in working in the NHS but don’t have the qualification or experience, this programme is for you!

The level 1 diploma prepares our learners well for their placement because it covers: Communication, Confidentiality & Data Protection, Infection Control, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Person Centred Support, Dementia Awareness, Self- Development, Sensory Awareness, Intro to Healthy fluid and food intake, Duty of Care, Principles and Values, intro to learning disabilities.

You remain on benefits throughout the programme and the Job Centre can support with childcare and travel expenses. Most of our learners move into paid employment in the NCA and some go on to further vocational study.

You must be:

18 or over;
be registered as unemployed;
have a minimum of entry level 3 standard in maths and English; and
have been resident in UK for 3 years.

We are looking for people who are actively seeking employment in the NHS

If you want to find out more about this programme and register your interest for our next programme, you must speak to your Job coach at the Job Centre Plus.

They will put your name forward for an invitation to an Open/Information Day where you will learn more about the programme and can apply.

Hear from our learners

“It's been a great experience, and all started with SBWA. I'll always be grateful for the opportunity it gave me” - Paul Smith - former SBWA learner - Read more

Getting Involved:

If you are a member of staff and would like to get involved in supporting our programmes, visit our Career Ambassadors Page.

Key Information:

12-15 learners are accepted onto each cohort.

The programme combines:

4 weeks of classroom-based learning to achieve a level 1 diploma in Health and Social Care
1 week of employer-based training
and a job placement of 2 X 12 hour shifts each week for a minimum of 5 weeks.

Programmes run twice yearly with recruitment starting January and August.