Coverage Care pledges to join apprenticeship scheme
Shropshire's biggest care provider has pledged to create 16 apprenticeships as part of a campaign to build the county's future workforce.
The pledge by Coverage Care marks a significant moment for the Ladder for Shropshire, the apprenticeships campaign backed by the Shropshire Star, as it drives the total number of roles created in the county on the back of the campaign past the 70 mark.
It will see 16 apprenticeships created by Coverage Care, delivering specialist training in health and social care and ultimately leading to formal qualifications for the successful candidates.
The move came after David Coull, the chief executive of Coverage Care, met with Prince Andrew at the Shropshire Star's offices in Telford earlier in the year when he came to the county to formally launch the Ladder campaign.
"After meeting Prince Andrew at the launch of the Ladder for Shropshire, I am delighted that Coverage Care is working in partnership with County Training to create the apprenticeships," he said. "At Coverage Care we are committed to developing the skills and talents of our staff and we see apprenticeships as a route to enable us to bring new people and fresh ideas into our organisation."
The campaign was launched by the Shropshire Star, in association with training providers from across the county, in March.
Future
It is aimed at building the next generation of workers to lead the Shropshire economy towards a bright future, while at the same time alleviating a skills shortage among county businesses and addressing the ongoing problem of youth unemployment. Dozens of businesses have signed up to the Ladder already, and the first young people have started entering work on the back of the opportunities that were made available. Coverage Care Services operates 14 sites around the county, many of them on behalf of the local authorities.
It is currently in the process of building an £8 million care home at Sundorne in Shrewsbury, which will be the fifth purpose-built home the not-for-profit organisation has created, following on from sites in Bridgnorth, Telford, Whitchurch and Oswestry. Once it is in full operation, which is expected to be before the end of 2016, the site will employ approximately 130 people.
