Five unemployed Copeland residents have job offers in the care sector after a successful training course.
The Copeland Work and Skills Partnership, led by Copeland Council, ran the programme with Wyndham Manor Care Home in Cleator Moor.
It delivered online care-related training to five unemployed participants – who have now been offered roles at Wyndham Manor as support workers.
Staff from the care home provided an insight into the skills required to work in the sector.
Participants had been referred by the Department for Work and Pensions and they were coached in employability skills by Inspira.
Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, said: “To have five solid job offers from this project is incredible. These training courses – which we also run for other sectors – are invaluable in helping employers create candidates with the exact bespoke training needed.
“They also give candidates confidence and lots of other ‘soft skills’ that they can go on to use throughout their careers. I’d like to congratulate these five people on taking their next career steps and securing these job offers – best of luck in their roles.”
The partnership was approached by Wyndham Manor after participating in a similar programme last year.
This experience helped them understand that they could approach recruitment in different ways. The Partnership will continue to work with employers in other sectors to deliver bespoke opportunities.
Sue Edwards, manager at Wyndham Manor Care Home, said: “The programme has helped us identify some good quality candidates who will fill key roles in our business.
“The candidates have been able to have a clear insight into what it is like to work at Wyndham Manor, and have had the benefit of care sector related training as part of the process. We have really enjoyed taking part in the programme”.
Deborah Naylor, area operations manager at Inspira, added: “We are delighted to have co-delivered this innovative project with key partners. It benefits five people who were unemployed, a local employer and the wider community who rely on the health and care workers who contribute so much to supporting others.”
The Copeland Work and Skills Programme is run by Copeland Council and is jointly funded by Copeland Community Fund and Sellafield Ltd. Sector development is a key workstream within the programme. Other workstreams include subsidies to support apprenticeships, bespoke support to key sectors and wage subsides.
For further information, contact Chris Pickles, Copeland’s work and skills programme officer, via email at Chris.Pickles@copeland.gov.uk.
