Devon County Council launches social care apprenticeship programme in its care homes

Devon County Council has launched a social care apprenticeship programme in its care homes.

The programme has been launched by Devon County Council and training provider, PSC Training & Development Ltd’s care department to attract new entrants to the industry.

The council has run many apprenticeship schemes in the past, but this is the first time it has set up a social care apprenticeship programme within its own residential care homes.

Seven homes across Devon will pilot the new apprenticeship programme in Exeter, Okehampton, Ivybridge, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple, and Torrington.

Councillor Stuart Barker, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for adult social care, said: “We have some very well run homes which can provide excellent training for people wanting careers within adult social care.

“This new apprenticeship programme is an opportunity for people to gain practical and meaningful experience as well as formal qualifications relevant to their jobs.

“At the same time they will be working in our homes at a particularly exciting time, as we are embarking on a £11.2m investment programme to redevelop some of our homes into centres of excellence for people with dementia, while refurbishing others.”

Mike Blakeley, business development manager for PSC Training believes the “scheme will offer a great opportunity for successful candidates to learn, train and develop within this challenging, but highly rewarding, sector.”

He said: “At a time of high unemployment for young people in the region, it is encouraging to work with employers, such as Devon County Council, who recognise the benefits of employing apprentices.”

Apprentices will work towards achieving a national qualification in social care supported by a combination of training and practical work experience.

Candidates must qualify for National Apprenticeship funding, have qualifications in Maths and English, and excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.

The Council runs apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, ICT, civil engineering, and now social care.

For more information about the Social Care Apprenticeship Programme and to apply online, visit www.devonjobs.gov.uk. Or for an informal discussion please contact Julie Vaughen-Atkins on 07967 629519 or Michele Allison on 07773 624230.

The Council is currently recruiting to the pilot programme and is inviting applicants to contact them with applications by the 10 August.