Young people taking their first steps towards NHS careers have been recognised at a special event in Darlington marking the training scheme's growth.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) hosted the event at Darlington Memorial Hospital on October 22 to celebrate current and former T-Level students and their placement mentors.
Nikki Brodhurst, widening participation ambassador at CDDFT, said: "We are extremely proud of each and every one of our T-Level students.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) celebrates T-Level students in Darlington (Image: Supplied)
"We are so grateful to all the colleagues across the Trust who have helped to mentor and support our students.
"The celebration event was a fantastic opportunity to bring current and former T-Level students together and hear their fantastic stories.
"They are the future of our workforce."
T-Levels are two-year technical qualifications equal to three A-levels, combining classroom study with at least 315 hours of industry experience.
T Levels awards (Image: Supplied)
CDDFT began offering T-Level placements in April 2023, with five students.
The scheme now covers around 30 areas, including radiology, surgical wards, outpatients, specialist nursing, allied health professions, medical physics and pathology.
The trust has taken on its first digital T-Level student in its IT service.
CDDFT was named North East T-Level Employer of the Year in both 2024 and 2025 for nurturing future NHS talent.
Students from Bishop Auckland and Darlington colleges described how their placements shaped their skills and ambitions.
Bishop Auckland College students Ava Bradley, Tunmise Olusola-Taiwo and Poppy Reed gained experience in urgent treatment, stroke rehabilitation, orthopaedics and community nursing.
The placements inspired them to pursue physiotherapy, mental health nursing, adult nursing and midwifery.
Darlington College student Josie developed practical skills at Richardson Community Hospital, including taking observations and measuring blood glucose.
She hopes to win a paramedic apprenticeship with the North East Ambulance Service.
Fellow students Megan and Lilly hope to become paediatric nurses.
Megan’s placements in radiology, pre-operative assessment and the women’s centre strengthened her communication and teamwork skills.
Lilly hopes to work as a healthcare assistant before continuing her studies.
Former students Charley Heseltine and Layla Marriott also described how their T-Level placements shaped their careers.
Layla was in the trust’s first health T-Level cohort and is now in her third year of a BSc in adult nursing at the University of Sunderland.
The Department for Education gave her a regional Highly Commended award in 2024.
Student mentors also attended, including Joanne Clark, ward manager at Bishop Auckland Hospital, and Haley Johnson, manager of outpatients and the discharge lounge at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Georgina Peart, T-Level Health lecturer and co-ordinator at Bishop Auckland College, highlighted the value of industry placements and student feedback.
Read more
‘Another nail in the coffin’ - Fury as Bishop Auckland Hospital ward faces closure
MP vows to fight Bishop Auckland Hospital ward closure as Christmas deadline looms
MP urges NHS bosses to halt Bishop Auckland ward move to Darlington
Chief nurse Gill Hunt closed the event by thanking the students, colleges and placement mentors who make the programme possible.
CDDFT aims to give young people the skills and confidence to succeed in healthcare through practical experience and mentoring.
The programme reflects the trust’s investment in developing the next generation of NHS staff.