Health and social care student Luke Redding is one of a growing number of young men choosing to pursue a career in this rewarding sector. Currently studying for a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, Luke’s dream career is nursing and he intends to progress to university after completing his diploma.
Luke has always been passionate about helping people and for a long time he wanted to become a police officer; but after spending time researching careers, he realised the healthcare sector was a better fit.
After leaving school, Luke enrolled on the College’s Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care and found work in a local care home, where he has been able to put his developing knowledge and skills into practice in the real world. 
Luke said: “Working 70 hours a week through a pandemic made me realise the reality of the around-the-clock requirement of the job and that people will always need help.
“The College has really supported me over the past year and I have been able to coincide my learning with work, using my paid employment towards my placement requirements. The lecturers are fantastic: their experience means they can easily identify your strengths and know how to support you in becoming a skilled and compassionate professional.
“The facilities are superb. The mock hospital suite is particularly helpful for those people who need the chance to develop those fundamental skills. The College also has really great contacts with fantastic networking and working opportunities.”
Now studying for the Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care, Luke hopes to progress to university to study a Master’s Degree in Registered Nursing with hopes of working full-time in the NHS as a nurse.
Statistics show that only 11% of nurses in the UK are male. Luke added: “We need to change this idea that working in care or being a nurse is only a woman’s job because, if you have the passion, the empathy, and the caring attitude, no matter who you are, you can make a difference in people’s lives.
“If you do have that passion – that drive to make a difference – City College will support you to realise these goals.”
