Pay & Benefits

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The NHS Graduate Management Trainee Scheme supports trainees to develop the skills and capability to become leaders across the NHS. It is an intensive and challenging programme, combining high-value work, active learning and ongoing study – but you’ll also enjoy a rewarding start to your leadership career.  

Pay and benefits have been carefully structured to give our trainees a great start to their NHS leadership journey. As well as a competitive starting salary, trainees enjoy a range of other benefits.  

Pay & benefits

Competitive salary
You’ll receive a minimum starting salary of £29,225 on commencement, plus where applicable (dependant on the location of your placement) the NHS High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS).  

This salary is calculated as 65% of the top spine point of a Band 6 salary as per the NHS Agenda for Change pay rates.

All trainees, subject to satisfactory probation and ongoing work and academic performance, will have the opportunity of a salary increase to £31,473 after 12 months.

Salary for current NHS employees
If you are currently an NHS employee earning more per annum than the starting salary stipulated above, you may be eligible to commence on a higher starting salary. Please note this and the annual 5% increases are up to a maximum 85% of the top spine point at band 6 salary, currently equating to £38,217 per annum on the 2024/25 pay rates. 

Holiday
27 days annual leave increasing with length of NHS service (including reckonable NHS service if eligible), plus bank holidays.

Fully funded study package
Education is an important component of the NHS GMTS.  You’ll study for at least one professional qualification during your time with us. There are no academic costs to trainees, the qualifications are fully funded.

Exceptional learning opportunities  
As well as the experience you gain during work placements and undertaking academic study for your post-graduate qualifications, you will benefit from Scheme education. 

This includes three Leadership development conferences per year, where you will learn from experts and leaders from all over the NHS. This education is ‘experiential’, developing your awareness of your own learning process through scenario-based activity, simulations and other interactive workshops. 

You will also attend Action Learning Sets, to help you reflect on your work experiences in small groups.  

“I LOVE doing the experiential learnings! They are fun and interactive practical learning sessions which do test you as a person and encourage you to be slightly vulnerable in order to grow. You might be asked to present to a group and be questioned hard on it; be given a task to manage in a short space of time; be highly reflective; be put on the spot; do various personality and insight ‘tests’; watch role plays of difficult situations. I feel humbled to get such a vivid and expensive learning experience.”
Priam, HR trainee

Network
A crucial benefit of the programme is the network you will be part of – not only with other trainees, but experts and leaders, HR and learning professionals as well as other key stakeholders in the programme. This provides a great opportunity to share insights and learn from each other, gaining knowledge about the wider organisation.

NHS Pension Scheme
We will automatically enrol you onto the highly regarded NHS Pension Scheme when you start with us in September 2025.  The amount you contribute to your pension is based on your pensionable earnings and you can opt-out of the scheme if you wish.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Programme is a 24 hours a day 7 days a week confidential service, which can support colleagues with a range of issues including relationships, stress, legal and financial concerns, bereavement and discrimination.

Access to Edenred
Edenred is part of the MyLifestyle portal. MyLifestyle Portal gives you access to a wide range of discounts from holidays to restaurants and everyday brands. You will receive a link to the MyLifestyle Portal approximately eight weeks after joining.

Cycle to work
The Cycle2Work scheme is available through Halfords, Tredz and various independent retailers. It’s run via salary sacrifice, meaning you will pay less tax and National Insurance, allowing you to make savings of up to 47% on the cost of hiring a new bike and equipment. This is to the value of between £100 and £3,000. The scheme is available once you have completed your probation period.

Pay & Benefits FAQs

You’ll receive a minimum starting salary of £29,225 on commencement, plus where applicable (dependant on the location of your placement) the NHS High Cost Area Supplement (HCAS).  

If you are currently an NHS employee earning more per annum than the starting salary stipulated above, you may be eligible to commence on a higher starting salary. Please note this and the annual 5% increases are up to a maximum 85% of the top spine point at band 6 salary (currently equating to £38,217 per annum on the 24/25 pay rates).

Trainees earn around £44,000 in their first NHS role after completing the Scheme.  You can expect possible future earnings of up to £90,000 as a Director or £100,000+ as an NHS Chief Executive.

Alert: Applications NOW OPEN for 2025 entry!