What is the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme?
GMTS is a long running non-clinical development programme, established in 1956 who alumni include Amanda Pritchard and Simon Stevens. The programme is fully funded; whilst on Scheme trainees receive a salary from NHS Business Services Authority (BSA), who is the employer of all GMTS trainees. Trainees join on a fixed-term contract for 2 or 2.5 years (Finance specialism only). This year, the Scheme is offering places across four specialisms, with approximately 220 places available for September 2026. Please see the links below for further information on the specialisms:
Why host a trainee?
The NHS has looked after the nation for over 70 years. Our Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS) has produced inspirational leaders for most of that time. Today, it’s part of the NHS England.
It’s fair to say the opportunities we create are life defining for the graduates we recruit. And now more than ever, our leaders will be tasked with redefining the NHS. Every trainee you host at your organisation has the potential to solve huge challenges and raise the profile of leaders in healthcare.
The future of the NHS relies on strong leadership and clear direction. By hosting a trainee, you can help us nurture the next generation of high quality, compassionate and inclusive NHS leaders.
Give life defining opportunities to help transform the NHS
At this time of continuous transformation and improvement, investment in our people and future leaders has never mattered more. The 10 Year Health Plan for England identifies bold, relational and system-oriented leadership as central to delivering the plan’s three major shifts of:
- Hospital to community
- Analogue to digital
- Sickness to prevention
Previous reviews such as General Sir Gordon Messenger’s Review, Leadership for a collaborative and inclusive future similarly highlight the need for high-quality leadership, enabled by consistent approaches to leadership development. GMTS supports this plan through attracting, recruitment and developing a diverse range of graduates, providing a talent pipeline of future senior leaders across health and care.
By hosting trainees, your organisation* can be at the forefront of shaping leaders with the right skills and behaviours. Their time spent with you will give them an essential insight into how we put patients at the heart of everything we do. Structured work placements enable them to further develop and demonstrate their ability to add value to your organisation. Together, we will develop excellent, passionate and ambitious leaders with all the knowledge and qualities to redefine what is possible, across your organisation and the whole NHS. *Due to the impending abolishment, NHS England cannot host any GMTS Trainees.
Hosting trainees brings all kinds of advantages to your organisation…
Trainees inspire and challenge teams to think differently, contribute to strategic development, help influence decision-making, and lead projects – they can adapt and add value to any team.
Having won multiple awards and currently ranked third in the prestigious Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, as well as winning ‘Graduate Employer of Choice’ in the ‘General Management’ and ‘Human Resources’ categories, GMTS receives tens of thousands of applications for a few hundred places – so you can be sure you’ll get the best of the best graduates.
Over 80% of trainees who complete the Scheme continue onto NHS roles directly after graduating from GMTS. Not only that, but GMTS is helping to improve the diversity of leadership through targeted outreach, best-practice inclusive recruitment practices and proactive trainee support. You’ll be delighted with what your trainees deliver.
Trainees are enthusiastic, self-motivated, committed to NHS values, forward thinking and highly capable, with a desire to transform the NHS by making it better and improving patient care. Trainees bring new perspectives and fresh insights – your organisation will benefit from the best practice they learn from academic expertise as well as the latest ideas and innovation from other organisations
Excellent value for money
We’ll ask your organisation to contribute no more than 25% of the total costs per trainee. You’ll see a return on your investment not just during the work placement but also long after the trainee completes GMTS – hosting a trainee generates real, long-term value for the NHS. This is a unique way to get committed, quality trainees without the recruitment hassle – as well as covering some of the salary costs, all recruitment is carried out for you by the GMTS team.
All your people benefit
This is a rewarding opportunity for people across your organisation to help develop, grow and get to know the diverse talent management pipeline of future NHS leaders
Because trainees bring the latest, innovative and evidence-based approaches, there’s a chance for everyone who works with them to learn something new and important. By mentoring, coaching and developing trainees, your people can enjoy the rewards of becoming influential role models for tomorrow’s senior leaders.
As well as reporting a sense of pride in being part of GMTS, host organisations become more attractive employers – their status reflects a commitment to long term education and development for the benefit of the whole NHS and all our patients.
Quality Framework
Organisations who wish to host trainees must meet a range of standards, set out in the GMTS Quality Framework
Flexi Placements
Flexi placements are two-month placements organised by trainees and can be in any organisation and sector in England. Learn more about how to offer one.
