More than 50 previously unemployed people have filled care
vacancies in the Nottingham area thanks to employment and skills
experts Working Links.
Through specialised schemes, the organisation - which has two
offices in Nottingham and one in Mansfield - has trained dozens of
people to fill roles with a number of companies in the area.
The tailored training includes sessions on the basics of the
care industry, interview techniques, effective communication,
teamwork, support and backgrounds on the firms hiring.
Sara Jones, Vacancy Coordinator at Working Links, said: "We have
been working with a number of firms in the care sector over the
past few months to fill the vacancies.
"Our tailored 'routeway' programmes give our customers the
perfect opportunity to find out about the company that is hiring
and the roles available.
"We also work to dispel a number of myths around working in the
care industry. It's not all as people seem, there are full and
part-time roles available as well as ones which don't require the
use of a car. It's a very rewarding industry to be involved
in."
Colin McCormack, 28, relocated to Nottingham from Liverpool
earlier this year and has retrained for a career in care thanks to
Working Links.
Colin said: "I have been a farmer all of my life - I didn't know
anything different. But the people at Working Links have shown me
that I have transferrable skills perfect for the care sector.
"On the farm, I sometimes worked with children with learning
difficulties so it was an easy choice when it was pointed out to
me.
"The sessions really helped me realise that care was a good
career for me. Although I was a bit nervous to take the leap, I
think that I'd have regretted it if I hadn't tried it."
Firms working alongside Working Links include Allied Health
Care, Spring Lane Residential Care Home, Priority, Medico,
Capstone, and Carewatch.
Sara added: "We're always developing our links with employers
and will continue to help fill care vacancies across the region in
the coming months."
To find out how Working Links helps unemployed people, call 0800
917 9262 or visit www.workinglinks.co.uk