Bosses at Carewatch (Mid Shropshire), based at Stafford Park, Telford, will offer a work experience placement for students at Telford College of Arts and Technology and SBC Training, based in Shrewsbury.
This is another first for the company, after it was asked into Telford College to deliver a talk on the care industry.
Steve Harris, director of Carewatch (Mid Shropshire), said: “Some time ago I was approached as a care ambassador to go into the college and talk about getting into care, the industry, what it is like and how it works, this was about six months ago and we have been working with the college ever since.
“We organise mock interviews as well and I felt it was a huge boost to the industry to have these people doing this course and learning about the care industry.
“As with most jobs you learn more whilst on the job and seeing other people at work so I felt offering work experience was another way we could get involved.”
The placements, which will be getting into work training days, have been created in conjunction with the Job Centre Plus and Reed recruitment.
Graham Reynolds, senior administrator for Pre-Employment Skills at Telford College, said it was a huge coup for them.
He said: “Going on work experience is really eye opening for the students.
“We work with students who are currently unemployed and while they get qualifications with us, quite often it is the actual experience that potential employers look for.
“Having the opportunity to be part of a company that deals with care and get an insight into the company is more important than anything they learn in the classroom.
“It has become increasingly difficult for students to get work experience in this field, for reasons we understand as regulations are vital, but there has to be some time for them to get experience.”
Mr Reynolds said that this partnership could benefit up to 100 students in total.
The first scheme Carewatch (Mid Shropshire) will run in conjunction with SBC Training will begin at the end of July.
Sam Shaw, business development manager for SBC Training, said: “It is a project for people who might be unemployed, or thinking of going into the sector, to undertake training, gain experience and qualifications.”
Mr Shaw said the placements will be available to people studying a Level Two course in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.
And Mr Harris added that despite the great deal of regulation and paperwork needed to set up these placements, it was worth it.
He said: “Obviously there are regulations about what someone on work experience can do whilst in the care sector.
“None of our values or standards will be compromised as our clients are always top of our priorities.
“But the students will be shadowing an experienced care worker with the agreement of service users and will be encouraged to do some activities that are not personal care.”
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