Company: The Priory
Number of eMployees: 34

The Challenge
Established 15 years ago, The Priory prides itself on offering high-quality care to its residents.

Clare Dunn has managed the home since November 2005. All 28 care staff have completed the compulsory NVQ Level 2 qualification in Care, but Clare felt that she wanted to go a step further by offering training to her two domestic staff too. Clare felt certain that the training would give them the confidence to use more initiative, helping out their care colleagues when needed and so expanding their job role.

She said: “I didn’t want them to feel left out and was sure that they would be keen to gain an official qualification.”

Samantha, 25, is a single parent who holds down a number of part-time jobs and has worked at The Priory for the past year; Diane, 51, had a wealth of experience but no formal industry qualifications.

The Solution
In September 2006 Samantha and Diane embarked on the Train to Gain programme, which was delivered by HIT Training Ltd. They both undertook the specialised hospitality industry Level 2 City & Guilds qualification. This qualification enabled them to select and study units suitable for their job role, such as laundry services and cleaning.

Samantha was keen to work in the office, so took an additional unit in administration; and Diane completed an extra unit in housekeeping, because preparing breakfast is a key part of her role.

The Results
Clare is delighted with the improvements resulting from Train to Gain.

“Both women were always very good at their jobs, but now they are noticeably more confident in what they are doing. They are proud to have gained a qualification and I believe they feel more on a par with the rest of the workforce, because everyone now has a Level 2 qualification, not just the care staff."