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A new, apprenticeship-style cadetship programme at the Hutt Hospital is successfully attracting much-needed Pacific recruits into the health workforce. Voyages takes a closer look.

Hutt Valley DHB Pacific Advisor Siloma Masina (pictured above left with the programme participants) says the initiative has been a success and is something that other DHBs should consider emulating.

“Improving Pacific health is one of the Hutt Valley DHB’s priorities. We recognise that there is a shortage of Pacific Island health workers to meet the growing health needs of the Pacific community within the Hutt Valley.

If we are going to grow our Pacific health workforce we must tap into the skills of our young people who are studying at the moment and do everything we can to attract them into health. A cadetship programme is a good way to start.

The students are given the chance to work during the semester breaks while completing their tertiary studies. They get paid for work, and mentored in whatever role they undertake.

“We give them the chance to earn as they learn. It’s not huge money but it helps them and their families. We’ve tried to make it a perfect holiday job.”

The scheme is already bearing dividends. Joy Sipeli spent a year working as a cadet on a range of projects with the previous advisor and has now chosen a career in the planning and funding area. Joy came into the scheme from another job.

“I’m learning all about contract negotiations and funding. It’s a support role but I am learning all the time. The cadet programme has given me a great look at how the whole health system works and helped me to decide which area is right for me.”

Since Joy completed her cadetship the programme has evolved to focus on younger students. Each student is attached to a unit in their specific area of interest.

Nineteen-year-old William Pio, who is studying information technology (IT) at Victoria University of Wellington, is currently helping the contracts manager with data management projects.

“Once I finish my degree I hope to come back and work within the DHB. Doing something like this is a real advantage. It gives you a foot in the door and a taste of what it’s like.”

Maggie Filo is still undecided about her future but for the first time is including health as one of her possible options.

“Being here has opened a lot of doors for me,” she admits. “Now I am interested in becoming a nurse, whereas before I’d never even considered it. I knew nothing about this world. It has really opened my eyes.”

Imeleta Pelasio just finished school last year. A career advisor at school suggested she consider nursing and the cadetship is helping to firm up her options. Imeleta has now enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington to do a preparatory course towards nursing.

The numbers involved to date may seem small, but as Joy points out, her current role in planning and funding is more than symbolic.

“The fact is that this scheme has given me the opportunity to learn about and be involved in planning and decision-making about health. This is how funds are allocated. This is giving Pacific people the chance for input at the centre of those decisions.”

Siloma Masina says the support of senior management has been crucial.

“They are very aware of the health needs of Pacific people. They know that if we are to make any improvements, we need a Pacific Islands workforce to deal with it. Creating a learning culture that’s supportive and inclusive – it’s the most effective thing to do.”

“It’s also helping to raise awareness of the wider issue,” she says. “We know there’s a shortage of Pacific workers in the health system, but the community doesn’t know. Cadetship programmes like this are a good way to make connections with the various Pacific communities. Community links are vital if we are going to address this issue.”

Siloma’s next goal is to expand the scheme if she can.

“Now that we are developing young people within the DHB it’s important that we do everything we can to employ them once they complete their studies. When I look at this current group I’m hoping we’ve got a clinical psychologist – he’ll be the first Pacific Islands person here in that role. I’m hoping we’ll have a physiotherapist – he’ll be the first Pacific Islands one. I’m hoping we’ll have our first Pacific IT expert, our first planning expert, a couple of nurses and possibly a couple of doctors.

“Something like this has the potential to make an impact right throughout the system. These young people are acquiring a rich portfolio of skills and experience. It’s an ideal way to start a career. The challenge and the potential of this programme is to grow our own.”

The support of the Pacific providers in the Hutt Valley is vital for making this scheme work. The students are now doing work experience with the Pacific providers during this semester break.

The sustainability of this scheme is uncertain, due to funding restrictions. Siloma hopes that with the support of the Pacific Provider Development Fund, this scheme could be the potential feeder into the Hutt Valley Pacific workforce.

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