A
leading disabled charity has launched a new modern apprenticeship scheme in a
bid to stave off skills shortages in the care sector.
Leonard
Cheshire, which provides care support for more than 19,000 disabled people
across the UK, is hoping the scheme will help recruit and retain more staff.
The
launch marks the introduction of the first apprenticeship scheme in the
disability care sector and offers a professional qualification for care workers
as well as management opportunities.
Clare
Smith, HR director at Leonard Cheshire, said she wants the initiative to
attract school leavers looking for a rewarding career.
“This
really is an exciting scheme and it’s a first for us. It gives young people the
chance to embark on a rewarding and fulfilling career while gaining recognised
qualifications on the job,” she said.
Candidates
on the apprenticeship scheme will gain qualifications as they work and need no
prior experience of care work to obtain a place.
Smith
hopes the scheme will ensure a healthy future workforce and help avoid the
shortfall of skilled staff which currently plagues the sector.
“It
means that in the future we will have fully trained managers and the potential
to retain more of our staff. We’re really looking forward to working with
school leavers across the UK,” Smith added.
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