Grantown firm joins national effort to help young people into work
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Independent care provider Parklands Care Homes is backing a UK Government plan to support young people into employment, creating 18 new care assistant posts across the group.
Parklands, which operates nine homes in the Highlands and Moray, has signed up to the Kickstart Scheme which provides funding to create new jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long term unemployment.
The Grantown-based company has created 18 trainee care assistant roles – two at each home – for a fixed term of six months with staff working a minimum of 25 hours per week.
Parklands will provide full training for its new employees and the goal is to offer individuals permanent employment as care assistants at the end of their six-month placement.
Vacancies will be advertised through the Kickstart Scheme at local job centres.
This is the latest initiative by Parklands to support young people interested in working in the care sector.
Parklands is currently working with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Inverness & Central Highlands to provide employment opportunities for senior pupils at Fortrose Academy, where a number of students have taken on after school placements at Parklands’ new care home in Fortrose, Eilean Dubh.
The firm has also committed to provide Foundation Apprenticeship (Health and Social Care) placements for four students from Moray College at Netherha, Glenisla and Parklands/Burnbank care homes.
A project with Keith High School to help students improve their interview skills and highlight the career opportunities within the care sector is also underway, in partnership with DYW.
Manuela Flueckiger, Manager of People and Culture at Parklands Care Homes, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce young people to the rewarding opportunities a career in care can offer, particularly with a local care provider like Parklands, where the emphasis is on training, continuous improvement and long term career development.
"We are in the process of building closer partnerships with schools and colleges in the Highland and Moray area and look forward to developing those relationships.
"The good news is that there are ample opportunities in the care sector for young people looking to develop a long and rewarding career.”
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands, said: “Parklands has been providing care in the north for almost 30 years and throughout that time we have invested heavily in our people, creating long term career opportunities in communities across Moray and the Highlands.
"We are delighted to be supporting local young people into employment through the Kickstart Scheme and through our partnerships with local schools and colleges.”
Parklands is a multi award winning care provider, named Best Smaller Care Home Operator in 2020.
