Rewarding Careers in Health and Care
South Tyneside residents are reminded that a Health and Social Care Careers Fair is being held this week.
With the national crisis in staffing levels in the NHS and social care, the event is aimed at building a workforce representative of the local community.
In line with the Council's ambition of connecting people to jobs, skills and learning, the fair will be held at Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields this Thursday (2 March) between 4.00pm and 7.30pm. People are encouraged to come along, there is no need to book a place.
Partners from health, social care, voluntary and community sectors as well as education and training establishments will come together to raise the profile of the types of health and social care careers available within the sector. There will also be a number of interactive sessions available, including the Dementia and Autism Bus which will allow people to gain some understanding of how people living with dementia and/or autism experience day-to-day life.
Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Independence, said: "It is no secret that there is a national staffing crisis in the health and social care sectors and sadly South Tyneside is no exception this.
"We want to build an adult social care workforce that is truly representative of our communities. This event seeks to raise the profile of these jobs which are highly rewarding and offer good career progression."
Earlier in the day an event will be held to encourage young people to consider a career In health or social care. Students aged 13 and above will be invited to the event to meet a range of professionals who will be able to advise on career pathways and inspire their future career choices.
The sector offers a wide array of job roles such as occupational therapists, care and support workers, pharmacists, data analysts and technicians.
Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "It is estimated that an additional 475,000 jobs will be needed in health and 490,000 in social care by the early part of the next decade so it is vital that we make our young people aware of the opportunities available.
"By giving our young people the opportunity to learn more about the wide array of careers on offer, we can put these jobs at the forefront of their thinking and encourage them to aim high from a young age."
The events are aimed at boosting the profile of careers in the health and social care sectors. Last week the Council announced that a Care Academy looks set to be established in South Tyneside which would seek to improve recruitment in the adult social care sector and provide ongoing development and training leading to career progression and retention of staff.