Examining the Skills Gap: inspiring young people to take up careers in health and social care
19 Jun 2025
The NHS faces a significant workforce challenge, with over 100,000 vacancies and a projected shortfall of 360,000 staff by 2036.
Despite this, the health sector remains one of the most popular career interests among young people. So why aren’t more of them entering the sector?
Examining the Skills Gap, is authored by The Health Sector Advisory Group in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), comprising of 13 NHS employers who oversee a workforce of over 200,000 people.
This group of ambitious employers, from across the country, are working in partnership with CEC and local Careers Hubs to find long-term solutions to the skills and workforce pressures they face.
The report identifies barriers young people face, including limited awareness of roles, inconsistent access to quality work experience, and insufficient tailored careers advice.
It also highlights effective local initiatives such as immersive work experiences, curriculum-integrated careers education, and teacher encounters that are making a difference.
This report offers evidence-based insights and practical recommendations to strengthen pathways into health sector careers.
Download the report to:
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Understand the disconnect between interest and entry into NHS careers
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Discover successful strategies to engage young people
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Explore 10 actionable recommendations for change
Together, we can empower the next generation to build fulfilling careers in the NHS.
Examining the Skills Gap
This report brings together 13 NHS employers across the country, working in partnership with the CEC as the national careers body and in collaboration with Careers Hubs, to find local long-term workforce solutions to key skills gaps in their organisations.
Read the report