Learning on the job gives you a great head start

23/03/2011

Leicester College has joined forces with the Leicester Mercury to match 100 people to 100 jobs.

So far, hundreds of enthusiastic apprentices have come forward, along with dozens of firms across a range of industries. More than 30 young people have been taken on by employers, but we would like to hear from more across the city and county.

Cedar Care Homes in Long Street, Wigston, is among those who have come forward.

Fadaka Amioye, 19, and Gurkiran Pattar, 17, will be starting as apprentices in the next few weeks.

They will be learning how to look after the elderly and liaise with their families and other professionals in the care industry, with the potential to study nursing as a career.

Mary Lenton, manager of the care home which looks after more than 50 residents, said: “We’re looking forward to them starting. In this industry learning on the job will give them a huge head start.

“It means they get to know pretty quickly whether it’s the type of job they want and, because they’re liaising with other professionals, they can see how it’s possible to branch out.

“Leicester College has been really supportive in finding the right apprentices. They put Fadaka and Gurkiran forward and we decided they were the right students for us.

“They will be studying for the Care Apprenticeship for up to 12 months. Apprenticeships are a great way forward. Learning theory behind a job is too, but the best way is to be hands on.

“Both women will spend the first few weeks getting to know the residents and their needs. It’s a hard job and good communication is vital, but the rewards are wonderful.”

Gurkiran, from Wigston, said: “I wanted a career in Health and Social Care after my granddad died because I wanted to give something back.

“After taking an NVQ level 2 diploma in health and social care, I thought the apprenticeship would be the ideal route to gain the training I needed.

“The reward for me is seeing a smile on people’s faces.

“This is a great stepping stone to what I want to do career-wise.

“I’m looking forward to learning tasks such as working with nurses to administer medicines and working with the elderly.”

Leicester College works with primary health care providers and local business to develop training programmes to ensure apprentices are equipped with the practical skills and knowledge to deliver a high quality service.

By enabling employees to achieve nationally recognised qualifications linked to their job role, this ensures they meet acknowledged competency standards.

Apprenticeships can be taken in care work, healthcare and as nursing assistants, as well as managerial roles.