Young talent sets sail as T-Level students chart careers in care at Nautilus Mariners' Park

The Nautilus Welfare Fund charity is transforming career opportunities for young people through an innovative vocational work experience T-Level scheme, based at Mariners' Park Estate in North West England. Deborah McPherson reports

T-levels are two-year vocational qualifications for 16-19 year olds, introduced in England in 2020, which offer a dynamic alternative to traditional academic qualifications by combining classroom learning with industry placements for valuable work experience. At Mariners' Park, this approach is creating healthcare career pathways for students like Catherine Mullarkey, whose hard work has already turned her placement into a permanent healthcare assistant role at the Park.

Catherine, a former student, now works as a healthcare assistant. She highlights the scheme's success in preparing students for careers in healthcare in a NautilusTV video [below].

For Catherine, the experience has been transformative. 'I hadn't done anything in care before,' she shared, 'but the supportive environment and opportunity to learn from registered nurses has been incredible. Hearing residents' stories about their maritime careers has been particularly fascinating.'

Since 2020, the Nautilus Welfare Fund has taken part in T Levels, supporting eight students – six in health and social care and two in business administration.  Three of those students have been offered permanent positions at Mariners' Park as a result of the scheme. The Fund is also in the process of arranging further placements for more students in both of those fields.

Nautilus deputy care home manager Siobhan Napier explained the scheme's unique value: 'We're offering students the chance to work closely with registered nurses and gain real-world experience in adult social care,' she said. 'With the UK facing significant workforce shortages in healthcare, these placements are crucial for inspiring the next generation of care professionals.'

Students spend up to two years developing practical skills while working alongside experienced professionals and interacting with retired seafarers.

The scheme does more than provide work experience. It creates a direct pipeline of motivated, trained professionals into an industry desperate for fresh talent. By partnering with local colleges, who approach the Nautilus Welfare Fund each year regarding placement availability, Mariners' Park identifies students passionate about healthcare and provides them with a nurturing, educational workplace.

For young people like Catherine, it represents a promising route to a meaningful career, offering both academic qualifications and hands-on professional experience.

How to apply for a T-Level placement at Mariners' Park

Local colleges on Merseyside approach the Nautilus Welfare Fund at the beginning of an academic year to ask if Mariners' Park has availability to be able to take their proposed student placements. After that, suitable students are invited to discuss proposed placements with the registered manager at the care home and the director of welfare and care, Andrew Jones. Find out more by filling in the contact form on the Nautilus Welfare Fund website.

Contact the Nautilus Welfare Fund