Record number of adult social care apprentices

News release 7 February 2012

Adult social care employers are celebrating the achievements of a record number of apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week which kicks off this week.

Last year the sector saw more than 40,000 new apprentices across England use the framework working towards qualifications that will boost their knowledge and skills to deliver high quality care.

They were backed by Skills for Care's rapidly growing network of Employer Apprenticeship Champions who talk to other employers about the real benefits highly motivated apprentices bring to their business.

To mark National Apprenticeships Week, Skills for Care will be releasing a series of short films looking at how apprentices make a difference to worker's lives and to the people they work with.

Every day this week a new film will be released to help people thinking about becoming apprentices find out what it's like to work in different settings including learning disabilities, older people and being a personal assistant, as well as highlighting the benefits for employers.

"As I travel round the country I am always impressed by the skill and dedication of our army of apprentices and I wanted Skills for Care to celebrate their achievements this week," says Skills for Care CEO Sharon Allen.

"It is also a chance to thank all our Employer Apprenticeship Champions who have been so central to the massive rise in apprentices as they have persuaded other employers to sign up.

"I hope our new films will give people who want to be an apprentice a real sense of jobs that not only offer long term careers but huge job satisfaction."

The films can be viewed at www.skillsforcare.org.uk/apprenticeships in the 'news and activities' section.