01-Sep-2002
Scottish care charity Quarriers is holding a double celebration today at their new learning resource centre The Gateway. The centre is being officially opened by MSP for Education and Young People, Cathy Jamieson at a ceremony in Quarriers Village.
Staff members and service users who have undertaken training with the support of Quarriers will also be receiving certificates to mark their academic achievement.
The Gateway will provide a hub of learning resources for Quarriers' staff and service users alike. Housed in one of the cottages in Quarriers Village, the centre is equipped with an extensive library, seminar and training rooms, and an IT suite to take advantage of learning on the web.
Quarriers has welcomed the Government's call for an increase in the number of social care staff holding care qualifications. The Minister will today be presenting staff with qualifications ranging from SVQs to HNCs and diplomas in subjects including Community Care Studies, Promoting Independence, and Caring for Children and Young People.
Today's award ceremony will also mark the hard work of Quarriers' service users for the first time. Those collecting their awards have successfully applied themselves with support from the organisation in partnership with James Watt College. Service users have achieved qualifications in Hospitality Skills such as Kitchen Portering and Drinks Service.
MSP Cathy Jamieson congratulated both Quarriers staff and service users on their achievements: "The opening of The Gateway marks Quarriers strong commitment to the training and development of staff. I'm pleased to recognise the hard work of Quarriers staff in achieving the qualifications that have been presented today, and am equally delighted that these service users have been inspired and supported by Quarriers to gain qualifications of their own."
Phil Robinson, Quarriers Chief Executive says: "We are focused on training staff so that service users receive the best possible care, and also on opening up education opportunities to service users themselves. Through learning in a supportive environment, service users confidence increases, they gain a sense of achievement, and are better able to lead productive, independent lives."
Frieda Park, Development and Training Manager at Quarriers, agrees: ""Our service users have lived with disadvantages all their lives. When they're given the encouragement to do something like a training qualification, they seize the opportunity with both hands, and prove just what they, too, can achieve."
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Quarriers is Scotland's third largest care charity, number SC001960. Established in 1871, it provides a wide range of care services for children, families, young people and adults with a disability from around 70 projects at around 100 sites in west-central, south-west and north-east Scotland.
Case studies may be available on request
The Gateway resource was funded by Lloyds TSB Foundation and a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Quarriers is an SVQ accredited centre, and holds 2 HNC Care classes as well as SVQ Care classes of the upper levels of 3 and 4.
This information from Shona O'Donnell of The Business, public relations support to Quarriers.
For more information please contact: Tel: 0131 718 6022 Fax: 0131 718 6145 Mobile: 07879 842527
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