Whether you are currently working in the health and care sector and looking for a new opportunity, or wanting to gain the skills you need to get started, now is a great time to see what’s out there.
Below we have pulled together details of upcoming events, programmes and courses, volunteering information, and general guidance on opportunities within the industry here in Plymouth.
If you see anything that catches your eye, or if you would like to discuss any of these options in more detail, get in touch by emailing HealthandCareSkills@plymouth.gov.uk or text Jack, our Health and Care Co-ordinator on 07814943808.
Upcoming Events
University Hospitals Plymouth’s Careers Open Day
Ever thought about working for University Hospitals Plymouth? This month sees them hosting their own careers open day. The perfect chance to enquire about all career options available at University Hospitals Plymouth, and a chance to seek expert advice on career options with the NHS. There is no need to book, just come along on the day!
When: Saturday 29 April 2023
Where: Derriford Centre for health and Wellbeing, PL68DH
Time: 10-2pm
Launchpad Plymouth’s Health and Care Job Shop
There has never been a more important time for the health and social care sector, and there continues to be a shortage of workers, particularly in the home care sector.
Whether you have a background in care, or a feeling that you may be good at it, drop in and speak to our Health and Care Coordinator Jack about the latest opportunities.
When: Weekly
Where: Skills Launchpad Plymouth, first floor of Barclays in the city centre
Time: 12-2pm
Upskill through training or education
It’s never too late to learn new skills. Whether your motivation is to get a new job, or obtain the skills you need to join the industry, Plymouth has lots of providers offering the education you need, and the courses are quite often free. Some can even help you to access university-level study.
City College Plymouth
City College Plymouth is one of the leading providers of vocational, professional and technical training in the south west and along with running a number of courses related to health and care (which can be viewed here), the College is also running the Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme (HSSAP).
This exciting new programme is part funded by the European Social Fund. With the option to learn in a classroom, or have some classes delivered online, there will more than likely be something of interest to you. You can expect to cover subjects such as Safeguarding Prevention, Understanding Autism, Care Planning and more.
To access these courses, you need to:
· have the right to live and work in the UK
· be over 18 years old
· live in a Devon postcode area (Devon, Torbay and Plymouth)
· have an interest in pursuing a career in health and social care.
To find out more about HSSAP with City College Plymouth, click here
Achievement Training
Achievement Training currently has some fantastic health and care short courses available. Aimed at those who are 19+, unemployed or earning less than £20,319, these courses are FREE to many.
The majority of these courses (listed below) are 10 to 12 weeks in duration, and delivered through a combination of classroom (from a city centre location) and home learning. Participants will also have weekly one-to-one time with a tutor.
· Work in Social Care – Career Development Programme
To find out more, click here
· Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
To find out more, click here
· Award in Mental Health Awareness
To find out more, click here
· Understanding Young People and Children’s Mental Health, Level 2 certificate
To find out more, click here
· Understanding Safeguarding and Prevent
To find out more, click here
To talk to a member of the Achievement Training team and to check if you are able to access these courses for free, call 01752 202266 or email admissions@achievementtraining.com.
On Course Southwest
Plymouth City Council is proud to offer a range of courses to support learners to reach their goals through its adult learning training provider, On Course South West.
Based at Hyde Park House on Mutley Plain, On Course South West welcome over 1,000 new learners aged 19+ every year, offering a wide range of courses.
The team is currently running the Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme (HASSAP) along with a variety of others that may be of interest.
The Health and Social Care Skills Accelerator Programme provides a variety of free, flexible learning and development opportunities, with a range of subjects to support you. You can expect to cover subjects such as, Introduction to Autism, Introduction to Sensory Loss, Introduction to Learning Disabilities and more.
To access these courses, you need to:
· Have the right to live and work in the UK
· Be over 18 years old, or if under 18 not in education, employment or training (NEET) or at risk of becoming NEET
· Live in a Devon postcode area (Devon, Torbay and Plymouth).
To find out more about HSAAP with On Course South West, email info@oncoursesouthwest.co.uk, or call 01752 660713. You can also click here or scan the QR code below;
You may also be interested in On Course South West’s mental health and wellbeing courses. For more information, click here
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are real jobs with training. They start all year round and are not just for school leavers!
Apprenticeships are a great way to earn while you learn, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and study from Level 2 right up to degree-level, depending on the role you are working towards.
If you are worried about the financial side of an Apprenticeship salary, you could be entitled to claim universal credit to top you up, so don’t rule it out as an option.
Click here for Plymouth’s latest Apprenticeship Bulletin. Whilst you won’t find live apprenticeship vacancies in health and care right now, there are opportunities under development and you can email healthandcareskills@plymouth.gov.uk to be kept up-to-date.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a fantastic way to test out different work environments, and to find out what you enjoy. It is also a great way to gain experience and develop soft skills that are useful in all careers. You may also choose to volunteer as a way to give back and share your skills and experience with others.
Age UK
Age UK Plymouth relies on volunteers to offer vital services within the local community. You could help by volunteering at Adult Day Centres, Dementia Day Centres, or become a catering volunteer. There are also opportunities for activities volunteers and reception cover at their busy sites. All of these are a huge help to the charity.
To find out more, click here
Elder Tree Befriending
Elder Tree Befriending is a fantastic charity, working with vulnerable and socially isolated people in Plymouth, over the age of 50. They support older people to live independently in their own homes and offer a weekly programme of social activities and light impact exercise in several locations across the city. They also run specific groups for people living with dementia and mild cognitive impairments. They are supported by 170 volunteers and are always looking for additional people to support this great charity.
If you would like to find out more, and apply to become a volunteer, click here
Trevi
Trevi is an award winning women’s charity, providing safe and nurturing spaces where women in recovery can heal, grow and thrive. Supporting over 1,000 women and children, the team relies on the support and help of volunteers and are currently looking for volunteers to help with gardening, administration, marketing, decorating and more.
If you would like to help support this fantastic charity and find out more about volunteering, click here
Shekinah
Shekinah provides opportunities for people who are experiencing all forms of homelessness and other challenges they may be currently facing. A passionate and dedicated team of staff and volunteers ensure people are given a variety of opportunities to help them progress.
Shekinah are reliant on a huge amount of volunteer support, and recognise the value that those volunteers bring, by donating time and skills to different areas of the organisation.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering with Shekinah, click here
Claiming Universal Credit?
Care Sector Based Work Academy (SWAP)
This sector based work academy is an opportunity for Universal Credit claimants to explore job roles in the health and care sector. During the programme you will cover key modules including communication, safeguarding, infection control and more. In just four-days you will be able to see if an opportunity in this vital sector is for you.
To book a place, or find out more, you can speak to your Work Coach, or email healthandcareskills@plymouth.gov.uk.
Find out more…
If you’ve made it this far and you still aren’t sure if health and care is the right sector for you, or if you are worried about how taking up a job or training course affect you financially, click here to find out more, and watch some videos of people who work in the care industry.
Alternatively, for more about what job opportunities in health and care are available right now in Plymouth, fill in this form here and Jack our dedicated Health and Care Co-ordinator will be in touch with more information.
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