The Prince's Trust has teamed up with leading social care organisation Quarriers to help unemployed youngsters in Glasgow reach the first step to a rewarding career in the social care industry.
The partnership, named 'Get in to Social Care' will provide 15, 16-25 year olds with an eight week training programme which will include classroom sessions and practical training as care assistants. The scheme is funded by Glasgow City Council and European Objective 3.
The course, which will start on 30 January 2006, will include provision of practical experience for young people working with adults with physical or learning difficulties, in supported accommodation schemes and community housing support projects within Glasgow, to enable them to get a real sense of the type of work they hope to progress in to.
On completion of the course, Quarriers and the Prince's Trust hope to provide assistance in placing successful participants into full time employment within the social care field. Students who complete the course will receive five nationally recognised qualifications, including First Aid, Disability Awareness, Safer Handling of People and Working with Challenging Behaviour.
Phil Robinson, chief executive of Quarriers commented: "We are very well placed in Scotland to provide these young people with fantastic learning opportunities at Quarriers and I'm delighted to be involved in helping them get their careers off the ground in this kind of work. The recruitment of good carers in to the voluntary sector is essential for us to continue providing the highest quality of service to those who need it most".
Quarriers provides support and care for adults and children with a physical or learning disability, for children and families facing poverty, family breakdown, exclusion and disadvantage and for young people with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, or who are homeless. The organisation also offers support to carers of all ages who need respite, advice or just a friend to listen. Quarriers aims to bring a real and positive change to people's lives.
Euan Davidson, Director of The Prince's Trust in Scotland, said: "It's the old catch 22, you can't get a job without the experience and you can't get the experience without the job. Get Into Social Care is a fantastic example of how unemployed young people can get the experience they need in an industry, where in Scotland there is plenty of jobs with added personal development support from The Trust".
Get Into Social Care is part of a diverse programme of Get Into programmes also comprising Construction and Cooking.
ENDS
This information and further details can be obtained from Jane Smith at The Business:
T: 0131 718 6022
M: 07780 666 136
E: janes@thebusinesspr.co.uk
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