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Social Care Leads Way for Jobs in WalesWelsh Government recently published a really important document in Wales, entitled: "Skills for Jobs - A National Strategic Skills Audit for Wales 2011 Not the sort of title that gets your blood racing and reaching for the Kindle but despite this, inside the report are some really important nuggets of information about jobs. We know how important jobs are to the economy, to communities and to individuals, particularly those who haven't got a job. At many stages in your life, having a job, earning your way and being independent, is really important. For many of us, our job is a statement of who we are and what we stand for. The good news is that there is good news about jobs in Wales in Social Care. Social Care is highlighted in the report as one of four potential job creation sectors and one of the ten fastest growing occupations in Wales. From 2007-2017, employment in Health and Social Care in Wales is projected to rise by more than 20,000 people - a quarter of the total growth in Wales across the whole economy. Health and Social Care is also one of the three sectors in Wales with the highest levels of employment currently. Equally important in this analysis is the fact that Health and Social Care also offer "high replacement demand" for jobs which translate into opportunities to enter the workforce, particularly for young people. Attracting young people into Social Care is absolutely essential for employers, the workers and ultimately for service users themselves - current and future users of services. Schools, Colleges, Universities and employers are all working hard at working together to provide the right courses in the right places to match young people who need a job and employers who want to employ them. Employers want candidates to be "fit for work" when they join. We want our young people to be "fit for work" as well. Not only that, we want to see them grow and develop with their employer to become more skilled and able to progress up the career ladder as they develop and mature. There is lots of assistance available for young people in Education at all levels to access that necessary training and experience. Employers too can get help and assistance in training for their staff - locally in Social Care Workforce Development Partnerships (available in every Local Authority area in Wales,) regionally (through Social Care Partnerships) and nationally (at The Care Council for Wales). "Health and Social Care is a labour intensive sector that makes the largest contribution to employment of any examined in our work" says the writer of the UKCEJ report. Social Care is a growth sector in Wales which offers long-term employment, training and provides a deep sense of job satisfaction for those who join the workforce. Many people who join us later in life are surprised at just what a great job helping other people actually is. Many wonder why they hadn't thought of it before. A lot of people think they don't know what we do. Then they remember the home carer who pops in next door, or the foster parent who lives down the street, or the local day centre that give families respite from caring for Dad or Mum, or the adaptation to their grandfather's house, or the meals on wheels van driver who travels down their street every day - all of these elements contribute to the world of Social Care. Social Care is important to communities and it is made up of people - people who care. Come and join us if you dare to care'. Useful websites for more information on careers and jobs in Social Care: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dare2Care-Wales/153467151357609?v=wall Ellis Williams |
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