A LEADING social care charity celebrated Scottish Apprenticeship Week by announcing a range of Health and Social Care Modern Apprenticeships opportunities for Ayrshire.

The apprenticeships will be open to young people aged 18-29 years as part of the Modern Apprenticeship scheme and will give them the chance to gain a sector-recognised qualification while working in a paid role as a support worker or team member.

Sheila Gordon, Cornerstone’s Training Academy Lead, said: “A Modern Apprenticeship is an excellent route for young people to pursue and develop a career in health and social care.

“It allows young people to convert their on-the-job, practical experience into a formal, recognised and required qualification.”

Since the scheme was launched in 2011, Cornerstone has trained a total of 169 Modern Apprenticeships, with a further 16 colleagues currently working towards their qualification.

One person who is a firm believer in the programme is Victoria Campbell, a Support Worker at Cornerstone’s Newhouse service in North Ayrshire, who said: “I wanted to sign up to the Modern Apprenticeship to ensure I was giving the best possible care in my role as a team member as well as obtain the qualification that demonstrated I had the competence and skills to make a difference to the lives of the people we support.

“It was appealing to me to do the qualification through Cornerstone with familiar surroundings rather than going to college to do the qualification.

“I found it rewarding when I completed my SVQ more quickly than expected, which gave me a great confidence boost knowing that I had achieved a qualification in health and social care.

“I was hesitant at first to start the Modern Apprenticeship as I wasn’t sure I would be able to return to learning again after so long, however since completing the qualification it has given me the confidence to continue my learning further.”

Anyone interested in Cornerstone’s forthcoming Modern Apprenticeship opportunities should contact recruitment@cornerstone.org.uk.

North Ayrshire Council is set to announce 40 modern apprenticeships later this month.