Five Oldham College students have become the first in Greater Manchester to secure midwifery placements through the NHS, marking a breakthrough for healthcare training in the region.

The learners will begin observation placements this spring through the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust’s Cadet Programme, advancing to full 10-week placements in their second year. These opportunities come through Oldham College’s Health T Level programme—a two-year qualification blending 80% classroom learning with 20% hands-on work experience.

Oldham College earned selection for this pioneering midwifery pilot based on its successful delivery of Health T Level courses with the NCA since 2021. The programme addresses chronic recruitment shortages in Greater Manchester’s midwifery sector.

“Within Greater Manchester, Midwifery is an area that has historically had significant issues with recruitment, due to sector shortages,” explained Jen Hedley, Head of Faculty for Caring Professions at Oldham College. “Opportunities such as this are helping towards overcoming barriers and are vital for creating and strengthening the future workforce.”

The students secured their April placements through rigorous interviews with industry experts Kathryn Bond, Midwife, and Azania Murphy, Lead Midwife for Education at the NCA. Bond praised the candidates as “prepared” and noted: “They were articulate and able to apply their personal skills to healthcare. They showed maturity beyond their years and their understanding of midwifery care was excellent.”

Murphy emphasized the broader impact: “The process highlights that there are so many dedicated young people that have the drive to become midwives and that more organisations should offer exposure to maternity services.”

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