Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 4th March 2019 This week is National Apprenticeship Week. As such, we’d like to celebrate members of our staff who are completing apprenticeships. We have 17 staff members on apprenticeship programmes, including Horticulture, Health and Social Care, Accounting ranging from Levels 2 to 5. Jacqui is completing her apprenticeship in gardening. She was kind enough to share some thoughts for National Apprenticeship Week: “My apprenticeship in Horticulture is a career change. Before this, I lived in Canada for 15 years working as a personal trainer! Working for a local charity means giving back to your community. Our work provides enjoyment for the people Guild Care supports as well as our staff and volunteers. “The apprenticeship enables me to research and work in a team across different gardens and new exciting projects, such as an indoor garden at Haviland House - Guild Care’s specialist dementia home.” Dean works at Haviland House as a Butterfly Homemaker. He is pleased to have been able to achieve both his Level 2 and Level 3 in Health and Social Care whilst at Guild Care. His current goal is to develop into a career in nursing – a goal made possible by his apprenticeship. Sebastien Deborde is Deputy Manager at Guild Care’s Birkdale Centre, which provides respite for families with children and adults with complex learning disabilities. Seb is one of a crop of staff at Guild Care currently studying towards a range of apprenticeship qualifications. He has just started studying for a qualification in Care Leadership and Management: General Adult Social Care Level 5. A former professional ice skater, Seb has been working in the care sector for over 10 years and has been with Guild Care since September 2016. He said, “This is my first care qualification in nine years and will complete my Health and Social NVQ 2 and Level 3 in Palliative Care. It’s a fabulous opportunity and I look forward to putting into practice the new things I am learning.” After deciding on a career change from HR, Marta joined our Home Care Team. She finds her role more flexible for family life and enjoys working in the community – she even won ‘Learner of the Year’ at our 2018 Staff & Volunteer Awards! Marta’s Level 2 Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care has helped her expand her knowledge, enabling her to support the people she visits. Marta is continuing with her Maths and English, as well as studying short courses such as Administering Medication. To find out more about working for Guild Care, visit our recruitment page.