Study and work program qualifies health workers for UK entry

The Student Work Placement Scheme (SWOPS) of International Student Advisors, Ltd. (ISA) gives Filipinos in the health and social care sector the opportunity to work in the United Kingdom (UK), after completing a study program.

SWOPS is being offered by ISA in cooperation with the Anglia Ruskin University based in Chelmsford. The program is available to groups of 12 to 15 students who will attend regular workshops over two years, combined with work based assignments and continuous development provided by the placement organization.

“Under SWOPS, Filipino healthcare professionals may study and work at the same time in order to qualify for full-time employment as nurse or senior carer in England. The plan offers courses toward a degree in Health and Social Care or a combined NVQ (National Vocational Qualification)/First Line Management qualification,” explains ISA head Tony Stringer.

NVQs are vocational diplomas in England that are achieved through assessment and training. They are practical qualifications based on being able to do a job.

“While studying for their two-year course in BS (Bachelor of Science) in Health and Social Care, the students, as part of their course will be required to work as carers that will provide them with the learning opportunities and support that their course of study requires. Though they will have to pay for their initial costs of placement, their pay as carers will cover the costs of both living expenses in the UK and the full cost of the study,” Stringer says.

The course requires 360 units. This means that a Filipino nurse will have to take up additional 120 units in English Healthcare, as 240 units of their Filipino nursing degree will be counted toward the total of 360 units required.

After the two-year work and study period, the Filipino nurse will have a Bachelor of Science in Health and Social Care degree, allowing him or her to work for one year in the UK to gain experience.

While completing the one year-work requirement qualifies him or her to work as a senior carer or a nurse, the nurse should enroll in the Overseas Nursing Program under the Nurses Midwifery Council (NWC). The additional course will allow the nurse to attain Registered Nurses (RN) status and a PIN (personal identification number) after a skills assessment test, and eventually to gain permanent residence in the UK.

A similar program is also offered by the Academy of Learning based in Essex that will give an opportunity for undergraduate nurses, graduate or undergraduate midwives and caregivers to qualify for an NVQ 3/First Line Management in care homes.

“This is expected to provide the correct level of experience for Filipino care workers to assume the position of senior carers in the UK once their course is completed and is intended to lead to a work permit placement in the UK,” Stringer says.

The first SWOPS Degree option students are Filipino nursing degree holders who left for the UK in October 2007.

They formed part of the first group in North Cornwall. Other groups are planned for Oxford, Liverpool, Scotland, Essex and North London.

The student health care provider will need to invest approximately £3,500 for tuition fees, airplane fare, visa fees, medical and placement costs.  Stringer estimates they can recoup this investment within three to four months with the monthly wage for nurses and caregivers in the range of £800 to £1,000 during their one year work training and studies.

The ISA program has the support of the English Community Care Association as a way for overseas nurses and care staff to eventually work full time in the UK.

ISA’s representative in the Philippines is International Student Advisors 4U (ISA4U) with offices at Room 417 Peninsula Court Building, Paseo de Roxas corner Makati Avenue and telephone 814-0242.