Explore exciting NHS Wales careers at the Royal Welsh Show 2025 - Your NHS. Your career. Your future.
Whatever your age and experience, the NHS in Wales is a career option to consider! If you are interested in knowing more, you are encouraged to visit Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) at this year’s Royal Welsh Show to discover the wide range of rewarding career opportunities available across NHS Wales.
HEIW – the national workforce body for NHS Wales, will be exhibiting at Stand 365-C from 21–24 July 2025, providing advice, information, and inspiration for anyone interested in working in the health and care sector. Visitors of all ages are welcome to learn more about the 350+ career paths within the NHS – from frontline and well-known roles such as paramedics, pharmacists, theatre nurse and health visitor to essential services including administration, estates, finance, electrician, carpenter/joiner, catering and many more. There really is something for everyone!
Helen Watkins, Director of Workforce & Organisational Development at HEIW, said: “The NHS is the largest employer in Wales, with over 110,000 staff across a broad range of professions. We’re proud to champion diversity and inclusion, offering equal opportunities to all - regardless of age, gender, disability, race, or background. With so many vital roles supporting the health and wellbeing of our nation, it’s crucial that we help people discover these career paths and the chance to make a meaningful impact in their communities.”
Many individuals may not initially consider the NHS as a career option, but the skills gained in school, previous jobs, or life experiences can be highly valuable. Whether you're considering GCSEs and A-levels, a school leaver, university graduate, career changer or mature student, there are clear and supported pathways into NHS roles.
Entry requirements vary depending on the role. Some positions require no formal qualifications, while junior roles typically need four or five GCSEs (grades 9-4/A-C). More advanced roles may require A-levels, degrees or equivalent qualifications.
NHS Wales also offers the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme which can support you on healthcare pre-registration degree programmes and are available to students studying specific healthcare programmes who are committed to working in Wales after graduation. In addition, NHS Wales provides apprenticeship opportunities allowing individuals to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience alongside nationally recognised qualifications.
Many roles such as Healthcare Support Workers offer practical, work-based learning across a variety of settings including mental health, children's services, and general care and flexible learning options such as part time degrees are also available for those with young families or other responsibilities. These positions are ideal for those who want to make a difference in patients’ lives without necessarily going through traditional full time academic routes.
Although speaking Welsh is not a requirement for working in NHS Wales, it is recognised as a valuable skill especially when engaging with Welsh-speaking patients and colleagues. Even a basic understanding of the language can greatly enhance patient experience and communication. NHS Wales is committed to delivering services in both Welsh and English and actively supports staff who wish to learn Welsh.
HEIW invites all visitors to stop by their stand during the Royal Welsh Show to explore how a future in NHS Wales could be the right fit.