Posted 11/02/2021

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

Employees at Swan Housing Association are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week (8-14 February) after successfully maximising their talent through apprenticeships. Several members of Swan’s dedicated Care and Support team have recently completed Higher Level Apprenticeships in Care Leadership and Management: General adult social care in Level 5 (equivalent to a Foundation Degree) while continuing in their full-time roles at Swan.

These qualifications have equipped the Care and Support staff with strong managerial and care skills so that they can progress their careers to become managers of Adult Care, Residential and Domiciliary services or to become Advanced Practitioners.

Everyone who has undertaken a higher-level apprenticeship has found it to be a very valuable experience:

Emma Packer, Care Services Assistant Manager, Swan Care and Support said: “The qualification gave me the confidence in ensuring that I was carrying out my job role effectively as was a new manager. It also gave me the opportunity to grow as deputy manager as it identified areas I needed to gain more knowledge and skills. It was very challenging at times but I am proud that I was able to achieve it.”

Abigail Power, Deputy Manager, Swan Care and Support said: “I found the course challenging but also very eye opening to the knowledge that I do actually know. It made me have a lot more confidence in myself and how I use the knowledge.”

Currently, a further two people are enrolled on Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeships and the organisation is hoping to enrol more people on to apprenticeships in the coming year. There are apprenticeship opportunities available from construction to care to customer services.

About Higher Apprenticeships:

Did you know that a Higher Apprenticeship enables you to gain qualifications and learn professional skills while earning a wage? Higher or degree apprenticeships enable you to achieve a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and they offer an excellent route to a great career.

Apprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16 who lives in England. They are available at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree levels. All apprenticeships are genuine jobs, enabling apprentices to earn a salary (or remain on your current salary). Higher and degree apprenticeships are available at levels 4 to 7. They combine work with study and may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification or a professional qualification relevant to the industry.

Higher and degree level apprenticeships are equivalent to:

Level 4 Apprenticeships – HNC, CertHE, Level 4 NVQ, BTEC or first year of university

Level 5 Apprenticeships – DipHE, HND, Level 5 NVQ, Level 5 BTEC, foundation degree or second year of University

Level 6 Apprenticeships – BA or BSc Degree, Graduate certificate, Level 6 NVQ or BTEC

Level 7 Apprenticeships – Meng, MA, MSc, Level 7 NVQ, PGCSE or Postgraduate certificate

You can find out more about apprenticeships and careers at Swan Housing Association at www.swan.org.uk/careers