FOLLOWING the success of last year’s Inspiring Futures Careers event that gave S4 age children and above an opportunity to meet with health, care and emergency services professionals, educators and trainers, Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership (DGHSCP) have gone all out again this year to offer an even better experience.
The event, to be held on 20 June 2023 at Dumfries College, will see even more health and care partners join colleagues from the Armed Forces to showcase the range of careers across the sector and how to enter those roles whether it be directly, via an employability programme, further education or a higher education route.
Recruitment Campaign Manager for NHS Dumfries and Galloway Suzy Saunderson has been working hard over the last year to get new partners on board and engage with the schools.
She said: “We have an expected footfall of 600 students to attend which will be a 40 per cent increase on last year’s attended numbers. This is great news for us that the schools last year saw the event of value and agreed to let their new cohort of S4 students return to learn more about working and studying in our sector.”
Vic McDade, Workforce Sustainability Manager for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, is passionate about ensuring that the NHS as an Anchor organisation supports the other health and care organisation in the regions showcase their roles and help educate not just our young people but those who may want a change in career.
“The planning of the event this year, like last, has been truly collaborative across our health and care partners with some of our smaller independent care companies, again joining forces with Council and NHS colleagues to inspire and educate about the sector. Sadly, there are many myths to working in Care and it is important to ensure a sustainable workforce and services for the future we work together to bust these myths. We again have been very lucky to be supported by organisations such as Developing Young Workforce who are sponsoring our event, our amazing Education Team at the council, Skills Development Scotland advisors and Dumfries and Galloway College who we are grateful to for hosting the event.”
Dumfries and Galloway Council, as one of the health and social care partners, will also be attending to showcase roles in social care. The social care sector is one in which recruitment has been challenging in recent years, both locally and nationally.
Chief Social Work Officer Stephen Morgan said: “There is a great variety of roles available to anyone looking to enter a career in social care or social work. Our Care and Support Service is largest care at home provider for older adults throughout the region, providing individual personalised support to people in their own homes.
“Through our Social Work Services, we have a great range of opportunities for anyone who would like to enter the vocation. From supporting children and families, adult social work, adult protection, sensory support, fostering and adoption, or justice social work – there is a career for anyone.
“We are passionate about the work we do, and we are delighted to take part in the Inspiring Futures careers event. We want to inspire more students to join our workforce and explore the career pathways that we provide.”
