We’re proud to be working in partnership with local NHS providers to deliver the Higher Development Award, a programme designed to help support workers develop their skills, grow their confidence and unlock new career opportunities.
Now in its second year, the programme is already making a significant impact. Four cohorts have successfully completed the award, with more than 30 support workers from both clinical and administrative roles benefiting from this unique development opportunity.
Delivered over eight weeks, the Higher Development Award provides learners with the knowledge, tools and practical experience needed to strengthen their leadership, management and service improvement skills. The programme is designed to help support workers recognise their potential and develop the confidence to make a meaningful contribution within their teams and organisations.
One of the most valuable aspects of the programme is the opportunity for each learner to lead a service improvement project. Participants identify an area where change could make a positive difference in their workplace and develop a solution that is presented at the end of the course. These projects give learners first-hand experience of leading improvement initiatives while delivering real benefits to NHS services, teams and patients.
The impact of the programme extends well beyond the eight-week course. For individuals, it provides a stepping stone for career progression, helping support workers broaden their skillset, build confidence and explore future development pathways. Learners gain practical experience that can support them in taking the next step in their careers, while also recognising the important contribution they already make within their organisations.
For NHS employers, the benefits are equally significant. By equipping support workers with leadership and improvement skills, the programme helps create a culture where leadership exists at every level. Service improvement projects can contribute to increased efficiency, innovative ways of working and improved staff engagement, while empowering employees to take ownership of positive change.
The success of the Higher Development Award highlights the value of collaboration between education providers and healthcare organisations. By combining expertise and a shared commitment to workforce development, Gateshead College and its NHS partners are creating meaningful opportunities for support workers to thrive.
As the programme continues to grow, it is helping to shape a confident, capable and future-focused NHS support workforce, demonstrating the powerful impact that investing in people can have on individuals, organisations and the communities they serve.
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