The ICP is delighted to congratulate Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust and HTP Apprenticeship College on receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise—recognising their outstanding work to support young people on the Isle of Wight into meaningful NHS careers.
The award celebrates the Careers for Young People (CfYP) Programme, a collaborative initiative tackling the Island’s youth employment challenges. The programme offers 16- to 18-year-olds a direct route into a wide range of NHS roles and has already gained national recognition—most recently being named Best Educational Programme in the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards.
This latest honour, the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category, marks a significant milestone for the programme. It is one of just 197 initiatives across the UK to receive the accolade this year.
The CfYP Programme combines a six-month pre-apprenticeship placement in either clinical or business support with an 18-month full apprenticeship. It provides structured training, real-world experience, and long-term employment opportunities. Since its launch in 2022, 43 young Islanders have taken part, with all members of the first cohort successfully progressing into jobs.
The programme is not only helping to address the NHS’s workforce needs but is also building a stronger, more resilient future for young people on the Island. Its growing impact is clear, with plans now in motion to expand beyond the NHS and roll the model out to the mainland.
The Island Careers Partnership recognises the incredible work both organisations have done and celebrates the continued success of this fantastic, life-changing scheme.