This week we’re celebrating National Apprenticeship Week and the impact apprenticeships have on the care sector.
Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and have no upper age limit; they combine practical training in a job with study.
We’re very proud that so many of our staff choose to complete their apprenticeship qualifications while they are employed by us.
With our help and support, our staff get the opportunity to complete national qualifications in social care; bring their enhanced knowledge and skills to our homes; and directly benefit our residents, as well as their own careers. Apprentices enjoy marked salary increases when they complete their training, and those completing a higher apprenticeship could see increased earnings over their career.
At Borough Care, we try to promote from within the company wherever we can, rewarding hard work and loyalty, and our staff that take part in apprenticeship schemes are much more likely to move up the Borough Care career ladder.
Most of our staff utilise the apprenticeship qualifications at Level 2 (Care Assistant level), Level 3 (Senior Care Assistant level) and Level 5 (Registered Manager level). All apprenticeships include elements of on the job and off the job training, leading to industry recognised standards or qualifications. Some apprenticeships also require an assessment at the end of the programme to assess the apprentice’s ability and competence in their job role.
Jade Martin, Deputy Manager at Bryn Haven is currently completing her Level 5 qualification. She says, “I’ve worked at Borough Care for over 10 years, starting as a housekeeper. Right from the start, Borough Care recognised my potential and encouraged me to look at different training opportunities. I completed my Level 2 and Level 3 care qualifications as I worked my way up to Deputy Care Home Manager.
Last year, I told Borough Care that I really wanted to be a Care Home Manager and they supported me to complete my Level 5 qualification. I started the course last September and it will take me 12-18 months to complete it. I do the course work in my own time, while a tutor will come to Bryn Haven at regular intervals to support me. I also get support from the Learning and Development Team at Borough Care head office.
I think it is brilliant that Borough Care are so supportive when it comes to completing apprenticeship qualifications. It provides more consistency to residents and other members of the team, as employees stay in the company longer, building on their skills and allowing us to better support residents.”
For more information about the training opportunities available to those who choose a career with Borough Care check out the ‘Work With Us’ website pages. We’re recruiting right now!
