On February 4 2026, we launched the first official cohorts of the Health Care Careers for Displaced People scheme, funded by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW). This follows the success of our 2024 pilot and builds on the strong foundation of the King’s Nursing Cadet Programme, delivered by the same team.
The programme is designed for displaced people aged 18 and above who are living in Wales and want to gain a better understanding of health care and the NHS in Wales. Many participants are already qualified health professionals in their home countries and bring substantial knowledge and experience to the programme.
The programme is delivered across two parallel cohorts to meet the participants needs:
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Face-to-face Cohort: Held at the Cardiff City FC Community Foundation, offering in person learning and hands-on engagement.
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Online Cohort: Delivered virtually for learners who prefer online study or have other commitments. This cohort also attends a face-to-face practical skills day, where participants learn essential health care competencies such as Basic Life Support (BLS) and manual handling.
Both cohorts bring an exceptional blend of cultural insight, resilience, professional experience, and determination. Participants are supported to engage full and develop new skills.
Running from February to June 2026, the scheme covers:
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Orientation and understanding the NHS in Wales
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Wellbeing and mental health
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Skills for employment and interview preparation
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Health care competencies and communication skills
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Navigating Welsh education and training routes
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Understanding barriers and sharing lived experiences
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Mock interviews
Learners are also given the opportunity to complete observational work experience within local health care settings, enabling them to network with health boards, demonstrate their skills in practice, and gain a clearer understanding of employment pathways.
Participants learn from our Lead Nurses, Rosalind Mabey and Helen Gibbons, who guide them through applications, communication in health care settings, expectations within NHS Wales, and adjusting to practice in a new country. Sessions also allow space for participants to share their journeys, raise awareness of the barriers they have faced, and build confidence in their future pathways.
The programme will conclude on Thursday 18 June with a celebration event at Cardiff City Stadium, where participants will receive certificates recognising their commitment, progress and hard work. These certificates can be used to support future job or education applications.
If you would like to find out more about the programme, please contact the team via email at healthcarecareers@rcn.org.uk
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