Bolton Cares will create opportunities for 12 apprentices as part of a new partnership with Bolton College.
The company is linking up with the college to enable up to 12 young people a year to work within the company whilst studying for a NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in health and social care.
Including one day a week spent in college, the apprenticeship scheme will enable Level 2 apprentices to gain experience as an adult care worker and Level 3 apprentices as a lead adult care worker.
In addition, the apprentices can work towards gaining the minimum industry standard Care Certificate during their time with the company.
Bolton Cares will pay £5 per hour for apprentices under the age of 18, which is £1.50 above the national minimum wage.
Then payments will be made in line with the national minimum wage for 18 to 25 year olds and older; the maximum being £7.50 per hour.
Chairman of the Bolton Cares Steering Committee, Cllr Linda Thomas, said: “Bolton Cares is a local company, offering opportunities for local people and we are delighted to be able to join forces with Bolton College to offer an attractive apprenticeship scheme for our young people.
“Working in social care can be a very rewarding career and a skilled and dedicated workforce is vital for us to continue delivering an exceptional health and social care system. I’m very much looking forward to meeting our first apprentices, and welcoming them to Bolton Cares.”
Helen Rose, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Bolton College said, ‘We’re delighted to be working so closely with Bolton Cares, and providing yet more quality Apprenticeship opportunities for our students. There’s already been a lot of interest, and I know that the apprentices will relish this opportunity, work hard, and excel in their new roles’.
Apprenticeships with the company are expected to last 18 months and there is potential for the opportunity to work for Bolton Cares at the end of the scheme.
For more information on the apprenticeship scheme, visit Bolton College
Bolton Cares is a not-for-profit company, wholly owned by the council, which provides a range of care and support for adults in the community including: supported living services; outreach; disability day care; older adults’ day care; extra care services; short break care; and the shared lives service.