Member News
By Ned Simons - 13th October 2009
Ministers have launched the national skills academy for social care.
The government says the academy will enable 1.5 million adult social care workers currently working in England to improve their skills.
There are currently 13 skills academies, focused on a wide range of areas from manufacturing to hospitality.
Around 880,000 people are expected be trained by the academies during their first five years of operation.
The academy is expected to train some of the estimated one million care workers that the government believes are necessary to care for an ageing population.
Skills minister Kevin Brennan said:"Now, more than ever, we need to develop training that empowers a new generation to realise their ambitions, and to deliver the very best patient care.
"And we need employers to be involved at every step.
"A new national skills academy for social care will help build a world-beating workforce that will improve standards and help shape rewarding careers: not just among new recruits but within the existing workforce."
Initially the academy will receive more than £6m in government funding, alongside sponsorship from employers.
After three years it will be expected to be self-sustainable.
Care services minister Phil Hope said: "The national skills academy for social care is a unique and exciting development for the care sector.
"We need to ensure that we have a workforce in place that is well equipped to deliver high quality services driven by the people who use them.
"The employer-led skills academy will be the driving force to ensure this."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
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