Lincolnshire care home takes on new trainee as part of Work 4 You scheme
A campaign to recruit 50 new apprentices across West Lindsey took another step forward when a care home owner pledged to take on at least one new trainee.
Alan Shepherdson signed up for the district council's Apprenticeships Work 4 You initiative – and may yet decide to take on two new staff members.
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Employment pledge: Resident Peggy Robinson, deputy manager Paula King, owner Alan Shepherdson and Councillor Alan Caine at the Greenacres care home in Caistor
The owner of Greenacres Care Home in Caistor has helped the authority achieve up to eight pledges of employment since the campaign was launched on November 1.
"The key thing is getting the right applicant," Mr Shepherdson said. "We have a team of 11 and many of those have been here for years.
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"So I'm hoping we'll find someone who can go on to have a permanent role.
"I think apprenticeships are a good opportunity. My attitude is I'd like to give a local youngster a chance. I know how hard it is for them.
"We get involved in providing work experience and voluntary work, but it would be nice to take on at least one apprentice who can work full-time learning care skills.
"We will be training them in all aspects of personal care, training them to meet the needs of the residents.
"This could be used as a stepping stone for careers like nursing. We've had people in the past who have gone on to do that. It will offer a good grounding for anyone's career."
Greenacres, in Grimsby Road at Caistor, was set up by Mr Shepherdson and his parents in 1989.
It is a small ten-bed residential home which also offers day care and a meals on wheels service.
Caistor ward member Councillor Alan Caine said: "This could be a great opportunity for the right person – or people – to gain valuable and varied experience working in a residential care home.
"Mr Shepherdson is a firm believer that members of local communities should support each other.
"He and his team already do an admirable job of this providing care for local elderly people.
"As a small business, Mr Shepherdson's eagerness to provide work for local young people during these challenging times takes this attitude further still, and I hope other employers will consider following his example."
Contact Greenacres on 01472 851989. To find out more about the council's campaign go to www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/work 4you or visit www.apprentice ships.org.uk
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