Why an Apprenticeship?
New Directions is a vibrant local charity supporting people with learning disabilities alongside their families and carers. Our roots date back to 1951 when local parents came together to establish the organisation, aiming to improve services and facilities for their children. Today, we continue this legacy with a team of over 200 staff members dedicated to making a difference in our community.
We chose to introduce apprenticeships because we believe in the power of work-based training to support career progression and develop the skills of our team. Previously, we worked with a local provider, but the turnover of tutors and inconsistent learning approaches led to low achievement rates for our staff. It became clear that we needed a partner who could provide the consistent, high quality support we value.
Having worked with our Vocational Trainer, Laura Brookes in the past, I knew her dedication and ability to help others achieve their goals. Laura introduced us to Connect2Care, and the results have exceeded our expectations. Thirteen members of our team are currently enrolled on apprenticeships, and six have already completed their qualifications with merit and distinction.
Benefitting My Business
Career training has always been a cornerstone of our culture at New Directions. Many of our management team have been with us for over a decade, starting as Support Workers and progressing to senior roles. Every new team member receives a comprehensive induction that highlights opportunities for qualifications and career progression. Regular supervisions reinforce this by discussing development goals and available training options.
Apprenticeships have empowered our staff with skills and knowledge they can carry forward in their careers. Those who complete their qualifications often take on more responsibilities or advance to more senior positions within our charity. The impact on our business is tangible. Apprenticeships have not only helped close skills gaps but also improved staff retention. Offering clear paths to progression has made our team feel valued and motivated, and strengthened the overall resilience of our organisation.
The Connect2Care Difference
Our partnership with Connect2Care and specifically with Laura Brookes has been transformative. Laura has provided exceptional support to our apprentices, consistently going above and beyond to ensure their success. Her commitment to regular updates and personalised guidance has been invaluable.
The high achievement rates we’ve seen are a testament to her dedication and the positive feedback from our team speaks volumes about the impact she’s had. With Connect2Care, we feel confident that we are equipping our staff with the skills they need to thrive, ensuring a bright future for New Directions and the people we support.
Connect2Care’s support has been instrumental in building a resilient and capable team and I would highly recommend them to any organisation looking to empower their workforce.