Worldskills
Why is the Skills Academy involved with WorldSkills UK Caring Competitions?
The Skills Academy was set up with a clear role to promote excellence in training and development in social care, leading to the consistent provision and delivery of excellent care to service users. The Caring Competitions aim to showcase in an innovative and practical way the potential for the development of excellent skills in the sector, as well as the positive impact this can have on service users.
The Skills Academy is also committed to improving the public perception of the social care sector as a whole, and to raising the status of those working within it. Our partnership with WorldSkills UK in delivering the series of Caring Competitions is something that will hopefully raise the profile of social care, and by testing the skills of those working in the sector and providing exposure to them, will inspire them to deliver outstanding care.
Working together with employers and training providers, the caring competitions will:
- Provide a showcase for high-quality care and act as a role model for excellence in social care practice
- Demonstrate to the public the broad variety of skills involved in social care
- Raise the profile and visibility of social care alongside other occupations
- Excite young people about the opportunities available to them within social care and raise the status and visibility of social care as a career choice for young people
WorldSkills UK is the name for the UK’s premier set of regional and national skills competitions for young people and adults. WorldSkills UK is led by UK Skills, a not-for profit organisation that champions vocational skills through competitions and awards.
The international nature of the WorldSkills brand provides the potential to boost the image of social care within an international setting. The caring competitions also create an opportunity to raise public awareness about social care, attracting press coverage and reaching new audiences. We’re involved in the WorldSkills UK Caring Competitions because we think it is a fantastic chance for people working in social care roles to receive real recognition for the work they do on a daily basis.
What has the Caring Competition project delivered so far?
The Skills Academy held a pilot competition in Sheffield in Autumn 2009. This was a great success, so the Skills Academy’s team began planning the current series of competitions. The Caring Competition activities were designed by sector experts, ensuring they are realistic and testing enough for competitors. Participants must demonstrate the delivery of excellent care in Activities for Daily Living, which replicates assisting a service user with common tasks. They must also respond to an emergency scenario, testing their ability to respond under stress and take action.
All three regional Caring Competitions have taken place, in the East Midlands at Leicester College in March, in the North West at St Helens College in April, and finally in the West Midlands at Telford College in May.
The Skills Academy hosted the final of this year’s Caring Competitions at Coin Street Community Centre in London on 23rd June. 10 outstanding care workers from the heats competed in a gruelling one day event, and demonstrated excellent standards of care delivery. Here are some photos of the winners.
What is the Caring Competition project doing right now?
The Skills Academy is currently devising a selection event to be held in early August which will long-list care workers who exhibit the potential to represent the UK in the International WorldSkills competition to be held in London in October 2011. The Skills Academy will support those care workers who are ultimately selected and is appointing a training manager to help further develop their skills. The Skills Academy is also scouting for potential talent within the sector.
What is the next step for the Caring Competition project?
Building on the success of our first year, we will soon begin planning the competition programme for 2011. A call for hosts will go out in September this year, but we welcome expressions of interest at any time.
Our ambition for the competitions is for caring to be represented by the UK for the first time at international competition level. A small number of competitors who demonstrate excellence in caring will potentially have the chance (if they fully meet the eligibility criteria) to be considered for potential inclusion in a shortlist for the team that goes on to represent the UK at the next WorldSkills competition in London, 2011 or alternatively, in Leipzig Germany in 2013.
How can you get involved in the competitions?
If you are a social care manager or employer, or a tutor in health and social care at a college, you could nominate a social care employee or student for next year’s competition. If you are working in, or studying for a job in social care, you could enter the competition yourself. If you or someone you know consistently delivers excellent care, then this could be a fantastic opportunity for them to shine and receive recognition.
If you are a college delivering health and social care qualifications or training then you could host one of the heats for us next year. Please send us an email to register your interest.
If you have strong background and working knowledge of social care then why not consider volunteering as a judge. The Skills Academy needs several judges to lend their time on a voluntary basis for each regional heat of the competition.
We are always happy to hear from organisations that share our values, and if you think the WorldSkills UK Caring Competitions sound like something you’d particularly like to be involved with or promote within your organisation, then do please get in touch.
The competition brief for this year that details eligibility criteria along with further information about WorldSkills UK can be found at www.worldskillsuk.org.uk
If you think you might like to enter the Caring Competitions next year, or to nominate someone, then please keep checking back on this website for further details nearer the time.
If you would like to find out more, please call 0207 397 5629 or contact