An Ebbw Vale-based care provider was runner up at Wales’ VQ Employer of the Year showpiece awards ceremony on VQ Day at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Nantgarw Campus.
Trusting Hands, which was set up by Helen Vowles, was one of three finalists from across Wales who were all congratulated by Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates.
VQ Day is a national celebration of people who have achieved success in vocational education in Wales.
Helen is so passionate about training in the industry that she decided to run her own domiciliary care company to ensure the development of a highly skilled workforce within the sector.
The company recruits people from disadvantaged areas with few or no qualifications but who have the caring attitude that is needed within the care sector. It then provides a comprehensive training package, which ensures staff have all the necessary skills and qualifications to support their work and careers.
More than 86 per cent of Trusting Hands employees are currently working towards an apprenticeship in Health and Social Care.
Helen has also been involved with Jobs Growth Wales through Educ8 Ltd, providing six months work experience to young people.
Trusting Hands received a glowing report from Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) in 2014, recognising the investment that the company puts into training and staff development “well over and above the industry’s mandatory training requirements.”
Winner of the VQ Employer of the Year Award was Hengoed Court care home in Swansea, which employs 220 staff.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here