The programme comes at a time when the care sector is facing the greatest workforce crisis in its history
As studies reveal care worker vacancies have risen to a record high (by 52%), and 95% of care providers reporting a struggle to recruit staff, a leading specialist training provider, Acacia Training, is shaking up the sector’s greatest workforce crisis with the launch of its Professional Care Pathway programme.
One in five workers are planning to leave the social care sector within the next 12 months as the industry faces a significant skills shortage and an overstretched workforce. While these pressures within the social care industry have always existed, these were exacerbated at the height of the pandemic, and now are worse than ever with the cost of living crisis.
However, the latest report from Skills for Care also shows that the issue is set to only get worse with predictions of 480,000 vacancies needing to be filled by 2035 with more than a quarter of the current workforce (28%) aged over 55 and expected to retire within the next 10 years.
Acacia Training is tackling the recruitment and retention crisis with short nationally recognised and accredited training programmes (4-6 months in duration) that have been directly created with employers’ needs in mind, including addressing specific industry skills such as safe handling of medications, infection control and care planning. These fully funded short courses will help existing care workers, as well as those considering a career in the care sector, to unlock the employment opportunities available to them and support their progress upwards in the industry.
While the care sector is facing many challenges, its future looks bright with more than 226,000 new job openings expected over the next five years. Acacia Training’s pathway will open up opportunities up to a Level 5 qualification where they become a care specialist, registered manager or even go down the education route to become a tutor for those training to enter the industry. It will also combat the rising living costs and low wages of those working in the sector, not only providing new skills and progression opportunities, but also increasing workers’ earning potential with expected salaries between £24,727-£37,252.
Lisa Davies, Chief Sales Officer, Acacia Training, comments “The pandemic shone a spotlight on the vital role of those working in care like never before. However, recruitment and retention combined to provide the sector with its biggest challenge of all, and now the sector is facing its worth crisis to date with more than 165,000 vacancies currently.
“Employers in the care sector are under immense daily pressure to deliver their core services to those who rely on them, working overtime to deliver the complex care that’s needed in their communities. Yet they’re also battling to keep their existing staff empowered and invested in their careers, whilst also attracting new talent. They’re certainly superheroes but they simply can’t do it all. Our Professional Care Pathway addresses this and aims to achieve a higher standard of care within the industry, as well as providing a flexible course that means learners can upskill alongside their work.
Oonagh Smyth, CEO, Skills for Care added: “Our latest ‘State of the adult social care sector and workforce in England’ report highlights that vacancies across adult social care have reached the highest rate on record.
“Social care provides many opportunities for a rewarding career, with options to progress into managerial roles or specialise in different areas. It’s really important that we continue to develop care staff’s skills and expertise to allow new and existing workers to develop and flourish in their careers, and to encourage more people to choose to build a career in care.
“Investing in learning and development can have a positive impact on retention. Skills for Care data shows that average turnover rates decreased from 41.2% among staff who had no training, to 31.7% among those that received some form of training. Additionally, turnover was reduced by 9.1% for care workers who received more than 30 instances of training when compared to care workers with one instance of training.”
As well as helping learners to enter the care industry, the Professional Care Pathway also supports employers with recruitment. Acacia Training will manage all aspects of the recruitment process including advertising vacancies, vetting applications, recommending interview shortlists and managing the pre-employability training for the successful candidates before they commence their professional career training.
To find out more about Acacia Training and its Professional Care Pathway programme, please visit: www.acaciatraining.co.uk.