Included among the proposals are full, four-year apprenticeships in electrical engineering, engineering and plumbing to allow the health board to directly employ tradesmen while investing in the local economy.

With the number of school leavers expected to drop by 20% over the next 10-20 years, the authority has identified looming problems in recruiting young people.

The new academy, in conjunction with Dundee, Angus and Perth colleges, would offer three separate courses — a six-week induction course in basic healthcare, covering practical issues such as fire-safety, infection control and patient handling; a 20-week course covering training across a broad range of healthcare jobs; and the modern apprenticeships.

The proposals come in a development plan prepared by Alan Boyter, director of strategic human resources and workforce development, and Debbie Donald, head of workforce development, and unanimously approved by the NHS Tayside board today.

The Scottish Executive has already provided a £160,000 set-up grant following pilot projects in Lothian and Greater Glasgow health services.

Mr Boyter said the academy would target people who would not normally think of working in the health field, including young single parents, the long-term unemployed and people in ethnic minorities.

“Everyone who goes through our courses is guaranteed an interview with us,” he said.

“From the pilot schemes, it is clear there is a very high retention of people who have completed the courses.”

Eighty places are available on the courses, which will start in August.

“What is very exciting for us,” Mr Boyter said, “is the social inclusion aspect and the diversity of people who will become involved.

“In terms of the apprenticeships, we will pay the salaries and those who complete them will gain recognised national qualifications. We would hope that those people will then come and work for us.”

Ms Donald pointed out that over the next four or five years, many skills will disappear from NHS Tayside as employees retire, and added that over the next 10 years the authority could lose up to 50% of its workforce through early and full-time retirement.

The board also approved a proposal in the development plan to revolutionise minor injury treatment in Tayside by establishing walk-in centres to ease the pressure on accident and emergency departments and GP clinics.

Open from 7am-10pm, they would be nurse-led centres where people with minor ailments could receive prompt treatment without the need to attend hospital or see their GPs.

“This was developed in England in 2000,” Ms Donald said. “They provide a one-stop-shop, often where it’s not convenient for people to get an appointment with their GP or attend accident and emergency departments at hospital.

“They will be treated quickly and effectively by nurses who can dispense medicines without prescriptions, so there is also often no need to visit a pharmacist at that point.

“They are also open 365 days a year, which is very important during holidays, and it means people have someone available when they need them.”

Mr Boyter added, “There has been significant encouragement and financial assistance from the health minister for this. With the support today from the board this is now going to happen and that’s great news.

“This is an extremely exciting new development.”