50. An evaluation of the new NHS graduate informatics and technology recruitment scheme.

The Grad Informatics and Technology Fast-Track Stream is a pilot recruitment scheme, delivered by the Health Innovation Network, the Academic Health Science Network for South London. The scheme aims to address the current skills gap and lack of digitally trained NHS employees by placing skilled IT graduates within NHS trusts. Kada was commissioned to assess the scheme with a mid-term evaluation of its effectiveness.

Kada conducted a desk based review of the strategic context to assess how the pilot aligns with wider initiatives such as Health Education England’s (HEE) ‘Building a Digital Ready Workforce’ Programme, which aspires for the NHS to transform its digital literacy over the next 20 years, and digital workforce statistics. In addition, we spoke to the pilot’s graduates, their managers, delivery partners and stakeholders to gain multiple perspectives of the pilot’s process, delivery and impacts.

We also investigated the scheme’s scale up potential, lessons and recommendations for the future. During the evaluation, we also noted the importance of assessing the potential impact of COVID-19 on the scheme, as the outbreak began to escalate during our research process.

Thanks very much for this – it looks really good, hopefully it will be helpful for Health Education England too……I really appreciate all the hard work on this.

– Louise Brennan (Programme Manager, Graduates into Health).

Get in touch: If you are thinking about evaluating a scheme or pilot e-mail karl.dalgleish@kadaresearch.co.uk and we will respond within 24 hours and offer a free initial two hour consultation.