HCRG Care Group highly commended in National Apprenticeship Awards
HCRG Care Group is thrilled to announce that it has been named Regional Highly Commended Winner in the National Apprenticeship Awards’ Social Justice Apprentice Employer of the Year category.
This accolade recognises the work that the organisation’s learning and development department The Learning Enterprise has put in place to assist with upskilling people from local communities, offering volunteering opportunities and apprenticeships.
HCRG Care Group is one of the UK’s largest providers of community health and care services. With an engaged workforce of over 4,500 professionals and experts, it invests in ensuring happy, healthy work environments for all colleagues.
The apprenticeship provision began because the HCRG Care Group knew it already had the talented trainers who could help deliver this work within its own organisation. As this has expanded, the commitment to providing the best apprenticeship training possible has remained. The Learning Enterprise is now registered as an apprenticeship provider and graded ‘outstanding’ by OFSTED.
Over the last 12 months HCRG Care Group has:
- Offered relevant apprenticeships, including mental health and adult nursing, even for those who may not have had a previous care background.
- Developed its interview process to be more inclusive by moving away from one-on-one interviews to group interviews.
- Reviewed apprenticeship salaries to ensure pay was fair and above minimum wage.
- Upskilled existing colleagues into new roles to ensure continued professional development and grow our own talent pool.
- Introduced peer support worker apprenticeships for individuals with lived-in experience, offering continuous support during their recruitment process and into employment with career progression opportunities.
Gemma Hall, Associate Director for The Learning Enterprise (TLE) said: “We are delighted to accept this prestigious award, which recognises our efforts in providing guidance and support to individuals on their apprenticeship journeys. Our dedicated trainers and colleagues have shown exceptional enthusiasm in their own professional development, and we take immense pride in their achievements. Moving forward, we will continue to push the boundaries and enhance our already skilled workforce.”
