In a special celebration at Learning Unlimited, 64 apprentices working with Heathcotes Care were recognised for their hard work and commitment to training and successfully completing their apprenticeships. The event marked the achievements of learners at all levels including the first higher level health and social care apprentices who are working in managerial positions within the organisation.
At the event, all the apprentices received certificates and special awards were given to the apprentice of the year, a leader in learning and the most improved learner. All 64 apprentices are now working with the company in a variety of roles at all levels in the organisation.
Heathcotes Care, who provide specialist residential care for adults with learning disabilities across the East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber and the North West, highlighted how important apprenticeships are to give their workforce the skills they need to deliver a quality service. The organisation has been working in partnership with Learning Unlimited for the last two years to provide a work based learning formula that has helped them to reduce staff turnover and improve retention and progression rates.
Brendan Kelly, Operations Director from Heathcotes Care said: “For us, service user experience is the key to success. Apprenticeships help us to deliver that. When we have attracted the people with the right qualities to care, apprenticeships help us to give them the skills to do their job well. When staff are happy and feel that they can do their job well they stay with us which means the adults we care for get quality and continuity and that makes a difference to their quality of life.
“The different levels of apprenticeships on offer mean that we can progress people from entry to managerial level and equip them with an in-depth knowledge of how we work. We can see how this benefits the people we care for, our staff and our organisation which is why we have just started 75 new apprentices with Learning Unlimited. ”
Steve Hepworth, Head of Learning Unlimited said: “Celebration events like this really make you realise how important getting the right skills can be for an organisation and for a learner. It is inspirational to see so many successful learners keen to celebrate their apprenticeships as well as recognising the journey they go on to progress their careers. The success rate for Heathcotes Care is way above national average and I think that is partly down to the culture within the organisation and partly due to the way our work based tutors ensure learners are supported to succeed. The partnership approach pays off and we are looking forward to supporting the new apprentices thorough to the next celebration event.”