SCA’s New Apprentices
SCA is delighted to have appointed two new apprentices – Kieron Lowe, aged 18, and Shanice Anderson, aged 19, both from Southampton.
Kieron and Shanice will train in social care and will start their initial placement working in extra care at Rosebrook Court in Southampton. After an intensive five-day induction course covering all aspects of their role they will work for SCA Care while also studying key skills at the SCA Quinn Centre, the award-winning training division of SCA Group, and Southampton City College. They will also complete a Diploma in Health and Social Care on their one-year Apprenticeship.
Both Kieron and Shanice were unemployed before being taken on and had to beat around 50 applicants for the posts.
Kieron, who “danced round the room” when he heard the news, said he was thrilled to have been appointed. “I like working with people and improving people’s living conditions,” he said. “I have looked after my grandmother before so I know what’s involved. It’s my dream job and I’m very pleased to be working on the front line, where I’ll be able to make a difference.”
Shanice said she learned about care work from her sister, who works in a similar role within SCA Transport. “I want to make progress in my job and to learn new things. This is a good job and I’m looking forward to it.”
“Both of these young people were superb interviewees and the feedback from Southampton City College has been excellent,” said SCA Quinn Centre Training Manager Paula Bennetts. “They have been so keen and enthusiastic that we know we have made the right decision.”
Lisa Dillane, SCA’s Director of Organisational Development, said the Apprenticeships are a new development for SCA.
“This is a huge opportunity to support unemployed young people and to give them some valuable work and life experience,” she said. “Our aim is to help our employees to progress through their careers so they see working with SCA as a long term job. This will be to the benefit not only of our staff but also the customers that we work with.
“Care work is a skilled job and the people who work in care deserve to be highly valued. Taking on these Apprentices and supporting them through their careers accords with our ethos and we hope to be able to offer this opportunity to more young people in future. We’re also very pleased to be working in partnership with Southampton City College on this – they have been fantastic.”
