From working on tills and housekeeping, to managing crowds in vaccination centres - young ‘Kickstarters’ are bringing energy and support to pharmacy teams around the country.
The NPA have been working with leading recruitment company Reed to enable independent pharmacies to take part in the government’s ‘Kickstart’ employment initiative.
Under the scheme, the Department for Work and Pensions pays wages and employment costs for a six-month job placement, for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
Independent pharmacies who access the scheme via the NPA also get high quality training materials for the Kickstarter; a Medicines counter assistant course provided by the NPA, and an Employability programme by Reed, where the Kickstarter will receive 1:1 support from a learning mentor.
Nicole Wilson, a Kickstarter who started her placement via the NPA and Reed at Faith Pharmacy in Manchester, says: “I like learning new skills as well as being able to give back (to health services and the community). This is an opportunity for me to learn something new and when I saw this I knew it was something I could get involved with.”
The 24-year-old spent her first day shadowing the team, making sales, collecting repeat prescriptions and learning about prescription exemptions to support customers with the process.
Nicole says she hopes the experience can develop her for a career in a healthcare setting.
“I like the idea of progressing and picking up new skills. I like being part of something that’s constantly evolving rather than staying static. I’m looking forward to doing the NPA course too.”
Heenal Malde, Lead Learning and Development Pharmacist at the NPA said: “Some of these young people may have little to no work experience, and minimal qualifications.
“However, the spirit of the scheme is to give young people the chance to build their confidence and skills in the workplace and to gain experience that will improve their chances of going on to find long-term, sustainable work.”
The scheme will also be useful for NPA members who might be in need of an extra pair of hands.
“Pharmacy teams have been stretched and would benefit from having junior staff to reduce the overall burden,” explains Heenal.
“Kickstarters want to learn, and will be bringing energy and support to pharmacy teams. By creating this scheme with Reed, we have tried to provide a complete package with is hassle-free for our members and includes a job description, employment contract and direct communication with Reed.”
For more information go to www.npa.co.uk/kickstart-scheme/