Care UK nominated for Jobcentre Plus Employer of the Year

Company news

Jul 15, 2010

The company’s innovative approach to finding new staff has earned it prestigious nominations for recruitment awards from Jobcentre Plus – including employer of the year.

 
The prestigious Jobcentre Plus Awards recognise companies who have shown progressive practices and attitudes to working with their local Jobcentre Plus offices.

 
Care UK, which employs over 14,000 staff has secured nominations in the employer of the year and the recruitment partnership categories. 

 
The Recruitment Partnership Award is given to the employer who has shown the best approach to partnership working with Jobcentre Plus and other parties. The Employer of the Year Award recognises the firm which has made the most outstanding contribution to recruitment within its sector using Jobcentre Plus services and initiatives. 

 
Ben Ashley, Care UK’s regional resourcing lead for the East Midlands, has worked hard to encourage people into the caring industry and as a result has helped many unemployed people to gain a new profession.

 
He said: “I have set up and implemented pre-employment training courses in conjunction with the Jobcentre and training partners to give candidates an introduction into care, with a focus on working for Care UK. 

 
“This has been a hugely successful initiative and I now run monthly courses in four branches across the East Midlands. It is so rewarding to see people embrace the idea of caring and saying good bye to unemployment. Care UK has an enviable track record in training and I know that, with the right attitude and commitment, these new recruits can go on to successful and rewarding careers that make a difference.”

 
During the last year Care UK employed 131 people through local East Midlands Jobcentres using the course, awareness sessions and open days to flag up opportunities.

 
Care UK  has also pioneered a proactive approach to help people who have been long-term unemployed to get back into work through organised work trial initiatives, easing them back into the working environment.

 
Paul Smith, Care UK regional manager, Community Care Services, said: “The nominations recognise Care UK’s innovative partnerships with Jobcentre Plus to find and recruit unemployed people with the right skills and talents to work in their team.

 
“The nominations are a tribute to the many people at Care UK who work tirelessly to find the best recruits to deliver an excellent servce to the people we care for. These nominations are the best possible endorsements of the exceptional work they do to recruit and develop the carers of the future.”

 
The winners will be announced on July 16th at an awards ceremony in Nottingham.