Care learners at Coleg y Cymoedd set for rewarding career

Three learners from the Rhondda campus of Coleg y Cymoedd attended this years’ Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Annual Community and Children’s Services Award Ceremony.

The learners joined staff from across the service area including homecare workers, social workers, care home and day centre staff, business support managers, learning disability support workers, specialist Dementia care workers and Foster Carers, who were receiving a range of qualifications and accreditations to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed.

Ben Vickery, Jasmine Barclay and Carys Dawe who studied on the Pathways to Care course were each presented with their certificates for the Level 2 QCF Diploma in Health and Social Care.

The event at Ty Dysgu recognises the commitment and hard work that has gone into these awards to ensure the learners achieve the skills and knowledge required for employment in the Care sector.

Keynote speaker at the event was Gerry Evans of the Care Council for Wales and expert officers from across the Council, including Chris Harris of the new Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Carol Smith of the Adult Protection Team, and Mark Anthony, from the Integrated Family Support Team.

Cllr Mike Forey, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services and Older People’s Champion assisted with the presentation alongside Rhondda Cynon Taf Mayor Cllr Barry Stephens and Mayoress Barbara Stephens.

Cllr. Forey said: “Events such as this are important for showing the scale of the learning and professional development that is taking place right across the workforce we have in place to protect and care for some of our most vulnerable adults, children and young people.

This should be a reassurance for residents, regardless of their age or personal circumstances, that the staff delivering support are committed to personal and professional excellence”.

Course Tutor, Rachel Treharne Howells who attended the event said” The Pathways to Care course is very popular at the college, providing valuable hands on experience. This course is a demanding one; following their induction training the learners spend two days studying at the college and three days at a placement within Rhondda Cynon Taf; where their progress is monitored by college assessor, Bridget Morgan.

We’ve had major success with this course, a previous learner won Carer of the Year Award at the All Wales WorldSkills competition and the majority of past learners have been successful in gaining employment in the Care Sector”.

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