Case Study: Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber improves apprentice recruitment with NHS Employers

Using value-based recruitment to get great quality apprentices in to the NHS

The customer, Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber, sought to implement a values-based recruitment (VBR) approach for its apprenticeship programs to better attract and select candidates whose personal values aligned with the NHS Constitution. NHS Employers supported this initiative by providing a framework for testing a VBR-focused assessment centre approach for recruiting healthcare science and clinical skills apprentices.

NHS Employers' solution involved designing and piloting assessment centres that used group activities, simulated scenarios, and functional skills assessments to evaluate candidates on their values and behaviors rather than prior experience. This approach resulted in 67% of attending candidates being deemed suitable for interview, with the majority of the ten pilot trusts adopting the method permanently. The measurable impact includes the successful annual recruitment of approximately 200 apprentices at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust alone, with early feedback indicating selected candidates are more likely to complete their apprenticeships and remain in post.

Health Education Yorkshire and the Humber