Faculty of Young People & Widening Participation
Faculty Mission:
We aim to inspire and empower young people and adults to explore and pursue meaningful careers within the Health and Social Care sector. By showcasing diverse opportunities, we help students build the skills and confidence needed to excel in this vital field, ultimately improving lives and communities.
Faculty Vision:
Our faculty is committed to nurturing personal development through active participation, promoting inclusivity, and preparing people for the careers that make a real difference in society. By engaging with young people and adults we encourage their involvement in health and social care, we help to cultivate a future of compassionate leaders and professionals.
Adam Poland
Young People & Widening Participation Exchange Faculty Lead
With over 25 years of experience in education, Adam has positively impacted students in both mainstream and further education, leading departments, year groups, and specialized programs. He also competed and coached athletics for many years, fuelling his passion for fitness and sport. As Chairman of Aylesbury Vale Triathlon Club, Adam continues to inspire others to live active, healthy lives.
As a local councillor, Adam has worked hard for his community, championing projects like the installation of outdoor gyms and advocating for accessible vocational education. Since founding the HealthTec Centre in 2017, he has led it to become one of the UK's top health career training hubs, empowering both young people and adults to reach their full potential. Adam is dedicated to fostering community development, driving social inclusion, and supporting local economic growth through education and health initiatives.
Unique Learning Environments
Opened in late 2024, this facility includes:
- HealthTec Centre: A leading training hub for health careers.
- Hospital ward simulation suite
- Dental suite
- Immersive VR training environments
These facilities replicate real-world healthcare settings, giving students hands-on experience and boosting confidence and employability
Positive Steps programme
The Positive Steps Programme at Buckinghamshire College Group is a collaborative initiative supporting unemployed individuals across Buckinghamshire to take their first steps into a career in healthcare, particularly as Healthcare Assistants.
Delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and JobCentre Plus, this short, impactful programme runs for approximately six weeks, with an optional seventh week for coursework completion.
Participants work toward a BTEC Level 1 Introduction to Health and Social Care, gaining essential knowledge and skills in a supportive, hands-on learning environment.
Training takes place in the College’s dedicated Health Wing, designed to reflect real clinical settings.
Key benefits include:
- Guaranteed interview for a permanent Healthcare Assistant role upon successful completion
- Development of confidence, compassion, and teamwork: core values in healthcare
- Direct experience and insight into the health and care sector
To apply:
Email: healthtec@buckscollegegroup.ac.uk
Inspiration Week 2024
Buckinghamshire College Group and BHSCA's other partners have teamed up for a week of inspirational events to provide an insight into the vast and diverse career options available in the Health & Social Care sector.
During Inspiration Week, from 29th January - 2nd February 2024, health and social care education providers opened their doors to pupils from across Bucks with interactive and insightful sessions from University of Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire New University, Aylesbury UTC. Buckinghamshire College Group and HealthTec.
BHSCA partnered with Healthwatch Bucks to talk about The Power of Volunteering as part of Inspiration Week.
The above slide details all the ways that the Bucks future workforce of students sees volunteering as beneficial to help grow their skills & experience.
Inspiration Week 2023 was a resounding success; see the below photographs of what entailed.
Where can I study T-Levels?
COMING SOON...
Links to T-Level case studies from other localities:
Work placements
Work placements are typically undertaken as part of a higher education (university) course, and last for longer periods of time - several months/a year. Work placements give students the opportunity to work alongside professionals and to be a part of an organisation. They are typically assessed and count towards academic credit, and are an opportunity for students to put into practice the knowledge learned throughout the course.
vs.
Work experience
Work experience can be referred to as professional experience and is generally for shorter periods of time. Work experience can be done by anyone and is not specifically for students, as work placements typically are.
Work experience offers the opportunity for individuals to experience a profession that does not necessarily relate to the career that person is interested in; to get a 'taste' of what working in a role/organisation might be like.
Buckinghamshire's College Group's NHS Careers Video
(in collaboration with BHT) has officially launched.
Currently hosted on the BCG website
