Supporting National Apprenticeship Week – #NAW2025

12 Feb 2025

National Apprenticeship Week, 10th – 16th of February, is the biggest week in the apprenticeship calendar, and aims to unite the entire apprenticeship community to celebrate everything that is brilliant about apprenticeships. Highlighting the benefits and opportunities apprenticeships create and helping bring together apprentices, employers, training providers, teachers and careers advisers.

At Elizabeth Finn Homes, we understand the importance of apprenticeships, the need to attract young talent into the sector and showcase the opportunities for long term, rewarding careers.

We are proud to offer apprenticeship opportunities supported by relevant skills and training that aid career progression and go beyond qualifications with hands-on experience-led assistance from our long-standing team members. We aim to shape the next generation of care professionals who can make a real impact on residents’ lives.

The number of young people working in the care sector in the UK has seen some significant trends and challenges over recent years.

According to the Skills for Care Workforce Intelligence report (2022)* the average age of the adult social care workforce is 43 years old. The organisation reported a decline in the number of apprenticeships and traineeships in the care sector whilst a report by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) suggests that only 11% of the social care workforce is aged between 16-24 years old.

There is some general concern regarding the perception of low pay and poor working conditions, which makes it difficult to attract younger workers. At Elizabeth Finn Homes are working hard to overcome these perceptions with our supportive practices and policies.

Our aim is to provide outstanding and inclusive careers with exemplary working conditions that focus on the financial wellbeing of our care workers whilst hoping to influence the wider sector to improve standards. All our employees are paid a real living wage and last year we were proud to introduce our enhanced Family Leave policy, setting a new standard in parental benefits.

Initiatives such as apprenticeships and partnerships between care organisations and educational institutions support skills training and career development opportunities and help engage younger workers. Which is why we support and celebrate National Apprenticeship Week and are working with Paragon Skills taking on two new starters and supporting them on their care career journey. We hope to expand this partnership across all eight of our homes over the coming year.

Lily and Brandon join us this month as Care Assistants and will be completing a Level 2 Adult Care Worker apprenticeship over an 18 month period. We look forward to welcoming them into our team and seeing them develop.

Comment from our CEO, Dr. Olivia Curno:

“We are incredibly proud of the apprenticeship opportunities we offer, which help nurture the next generation of care professionals. Our apprentices play a vital role in our care teams, bringing fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of our residents. Through hands-on experience and dedicated training, they gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the social care sector.”

We also offer apprenticeship courses to existing colleagues in the organisation outside of the specific 18-24 year old recruitment campaign through Paragon. Our apprentices are working on a variety of courses, including Production Chef, Level 5 Leadership, and Level 2 Care Worker. We currently employ three apprentices completing their Level 2 Care Worker course and offer over ten courses, always seeking new inspiration and opportunities for growth.

A big thank you to all our apprentices and the teams who support them along their journey—together, we are shaping the future of social care.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to progress, we offer hands-on learning, career growth, and outstanding opportunities for all backgrounds in a variety of roles. If you are looking for a rewarding career, we’d love to hear from you.