Kent Care Ambassadors spearhead recruitment
drive
Kent's first Care Ambassadors were presented with certificates
and resource packs on Tuesday (9 Oct) at East Malling Conference
Centre as part of the Kent and Medway project to encourage more
youngsters to take up careers in social care.
The aim of the Care Ambassador scheme, part of the national
Skills for Care initiative, is to promote social care as a dynamic
career option by demonstrating the range of benefits on offer in
the sector and showcasing the variety of jobs and career paths now
available.
The trained ambassadors - who have all worked in various social
care roles for many years and are passionate about their job - are
already starting to achieve this by visiting schools, colleges and
recruitment and careers events.
The Ambassadors share their own experiences of working in social
care roles and answer any questions that youngsters may have,
helping to dispel some of the preconceptions surrounding care
work.
The Kent and Medway scheme was established in January of this
year and has already exceeded its target for 12 Care Ambassadors in
2007. With 25 of them now on board, the scheme hopes to address the
growing demand for employees in the sector, against a backdrop of
an ageing population requiring more and more personalised care.
Kent County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services Kevin
Lynes joined the celebration and praised the Care Ambassadors for
their unstinting commitment and professionalism. He said: "If you
could bottle the essence of what's in this room and give it to
youngsters, the job would be done. The enthusiasm of these
ambassadors will go a long way in attracting young people into
worthwhile and rewarding careers."
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