Chance for young people to join six-week course potentially leading to care sector jobs

Young people interested in starting a career in the care sector are being invited to enrol on a new pre-apprenticeship course with top Midlands training company BCTG.

The six-week programme runs from 6 March and is available to people aged between 19 and 29 who live in the West Midlands and are not in current employment, education or training.

Those taking part will have a work experience placement with LJM Homecare in Brierly Hill, plus a guaranteed interview for a Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship with the company after completing the course.

Lindsay Nearn, chief executive at LJM Homecare, said: “We passionately believe in providing everything we possibly can to maintain people’s dignity, maintain their lifestyles within their own homes and really help them to live every single moment they possibly can.

“Getting younger blood into our workforce is always exciting, as we can embed in them what the standards are, what the quality is and help them to understand the real difference they’re making.

“By developing staff with those high standards, they are then changing somebody’s day, every single day.

“There are some really good prospects and career pathways emerging in social care, where people can learn empathy, how to communicate, and all about morals and ethics that you can then put into any job that you go on to do.

“I do think people are amazed at how much they can actually give and the differences they make to people by giving really good care: it’s life changing.”

Stephen Burnet, business development lead coordinator at BCTG, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are interested in the care sector to take a detailed look at what roles are available with a quality employer.”

Mr Burnet explained that the course would include support with English, maths and digital skills, pre-employment training and instruction in safeguarding, medication, moving and positions, plus health and safety.

The work experience involves shadowing experienced workers at LJM Homecare, plus mentoring from someone at that company, with BCTG providing enhanced DBS legal checks for those on the course.

He added: “The real bonus will be a guaranteed interview for an apprenticeship at LJM Homecare once the course has been completed.”

The Path 2 Apprenticeship run by BCTG is one of the programmes that has been backed by a £200,000 grant from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Anyone interested in joining the six-week pre-apprenticeship programme can attend one of BCTG’s information sessions which are to be held at 11am on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February at The Apprenticeship Works, 330 High Street, West Bromwich B70 8DJ.

For more details, email Jenni Carnell at jenni.carnell@bctg.org.uk or call 0121 824 4070.