With the launch of the new Care Certificate coming later this year, technical and vocational learning leader NCFE has become the one of the first organisations to regulate the new qualification.
The certificate was developed by charity Skills for Care and is focused on developing the social care workforce by providing those interested in a care career with a level 2 qualification. The qualification is supported by £53.91 million of investment from the Department of Health and Social Care, which will see the certificate launch with an initial 37,000 places.
Not simply aiming to bring people into the social care workforce, the qualification will also look to remain in the sector and continue their careers with further professional development. The importance of this is evidence by the fact that 54% of the current social care workforce do not have a qualification.
Sector Manager for Health and Social Care at NCFE, Craig Wade, commented:
“As the number one awarding organisation in this sector, we’re delighted to be leading the charge and supporting the delivery of this important qualification.
“We know from our skills gap report last year that workforce retention continues to be a persistent problem in social care. According to Skills for Care, more than half of the current workforce don’t hold a relevant social care qualification, and of those that do, 2% have a Level 1 and 19% a Level 2.
“The Care Certificate is an important step forward and we’re proud to once again be standing by the sector to help ensure social care is seen as both a rewarding and impactful career option. By becoming qualified, it will benefit both the workforce and those they support.”
Delivery of the certificate will begin from June this year, and training providers that are currently delivering the existing Care Certificate will be able to switch to the new one. If employers are looking to offer the qualification to their existing workforce, the Department of Health and Social Care will reimburse them up to £1,500 per learner.
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