Our new NHS Wales General Management Graduate Scheme – 'class of 2021'

The induction for our two year work-based NHS Wales General Management Graduate Programme, developed by us, has commenced with all 21 graduates coming together at the University of South Wales for a three day in-person event, where they engaged and connected with each other and heard from a variety of leaders, including the Velindre Medical Director, Directors of Planning and Strategy and the Leadership & Succession team.

The graduates have now completed their four-week organisational safaris providing a strategic overview of their organisation and will now embark on their first work placements when they will also commence their fully-funded Masters in Applied Health Leadership. The successful applicants will be based within health boards and trusts across Wales, helping the health service to increase its resilience and continuously improve while generating creative and innovative ways of working.

An extensive support package is available to those on the programme. This will include an induction, coaching, training and mentorship from inspirational and dynamic leaders, enabling trainees to develop skills in management and compassionate leadership.

We are very excited to welcome our future leaders into NHS Wales and look forward to seeing them develop over the next two years.

Alex Howells, Chief Executive of HEIW who herself is an alumna of an NHS Wales graduate programme, said “We’re extremely excited to commence our new national graduate management programme which represents another important pathway for talented individuals to join the NHS in Wales for rewarding and fulfilling careers.

"From a personal perspective the programme provided me with a fantastic foundation for a diverse range of roles in NHS leadership and management, and our new programme looks even better than before.”

One of our graduates, James Fletcher said: “I thoroughly enjoyed our induction at Treforest and was relieved that everyone was interactive and got along. Graduates had only met via teams and not actually in person prior to the induction. All three days were well organised and informal with a mix of interactive teams calls and NHS professionals coming to speak with us. All offered great insight into their careers and area of expertise. I’m really looking forward to the next two years and where my career will lead after graduating. I fully support this scheme and will be happy to speak to graduates in the future.”

Meet Our 21 Graduates and find more About The Programme.