Care UK has been recognised as providing the Employer Encounter of the Year at the 2024 Greater Essex Career Hub conference.
The Greater Essex Careers Hub works to ensure every young person receives outstanding, relevant careers education throughout their time at school and college. It aims to bridge the gap between education and employment by bringing together schools and colleges with local employers to support them in delivering high quality, inspirational careers programmes for their students.
The award recognises the opportunities offered to younger people by the ‘Open Doors’ project, a collaborative effort between Care UK and the Careers & Enterprise Company. ‘Open Doors’ champions careers in care and provides secondary school students with the opportunity to explore working ‘behind the scenes’ of an operational care home.
The first ‘Open Doors’ event was hosted at Silversprings in Thorrington, Essex, last year. During the visit, 20 students from St Helena’s School were welcomed with a full care home tour, where they met residents and Care UK colleagues with different academic and career backgrounds. Students met with carers and nurses, spoke to those working in the kitchen and within hospitality, and discussed career pathways and individual journeys with managers.
Care UK’s head of resourcing, Victoria Cole, said: “Care UK is dedicated to attracting young talent to the sector and developing the care workforce of the future, so that they can embark on a fulfilling career with us.
“Increasing our engagement and activity with schools and other education providers is key to helping younger generations find out more about the opportunities available to them, and it raises awareness of careers across care.
“I am keen to continue delivering experiences of value to students and supporting them with their journey in finding out what they can, and might like to, do in their future employment.”
Stephanie Warren at Greater Essex Careers Hub said: “This award is to say thank you for all the work Care UK has done towards supporting young people in Essex – they have hosted many Open Doors visits, taken part in webinars and fully engaged with working with the Greater Essex Careers Hub. Thanks to Care UK, lots of students have had a workplace experience and broadened their horizons.”
