Successful students complete the inaugural Health and Social Care Skills Academy.

UHI Shetland and Shetland Islands Council successfully complete first Care Skills Academy

Launched in March, this ten-week, fully-funded course, was designed to support people into work in the health and social care workforce in Shetland. The partnership between UHI Shetland and the Shetland Islands Council allowed students the unique opportunity to learn a wide range of skills from our industry-experienced team on campus. In the second half of the course, students attended work experience to develop invaluable real-life training and skills, with a ‘guaranteed’ interview with the Shetland Islands Council upon the successful completion of the course.

Successful student Cameron Ritchie stated that the course has built his confidence in his own abilities and helped him to gain valuable knowledge of the social care sector. Cameron said “The work experience with Supported Living & Outreach was amazing – it was fun and rewarding and really opened my eyes to how important this work is. It has confirmed to me that this is the kind of work I want to do.  I really want to help support people to live their lives to the fullest.” 

Susan Menary, Head of Health, Care and Society at UHI Shetland, said: “We are delighted that how well the course has gone, and we wish our learners every success working in health and social care.”

Robbie Simpson, Team Leader at Newcraigielea Services, run by Shetland Islands Council, said “I’m really pleased to see the first students complete this course.  There has been really positive engagement from students on placements with us and they have gained valuable care experience and skills on this Academy.  We have opportunities within the Council and we hope to welcome some of these students into future employment in the local care sector.”   

Pictured is Cameron receiving his certificate from Mandy Malcolmson, Team Leader, Overtonlea Care Home.