The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Youngsters’ Team Spirit focuses on care sector opportunities
Care sector is facing recruitment crisis
Secondary school pupils in Kirriemuir are piloting an innovative project aimed at encouraging young people to consider a care career in a sector which is heading for a potentially serious staffing shortage.
Under the Team Spirit initiative, S1 youngsters at Webster’s High are taking on a series of physical and mental challenges, all linked in some way to the growing sector, as part of a programme to be rolled out to other schools in Angus and Dundee.
The pupils have this week been working in conjunction with Dundee University’s school of nursing and health sciences, as well as the Developing the Young Workforce Dundee and Angus project.
The event focuses on building the teamwork and leadership skills of the youngsters as well as giving them an insight into the range of care career opportunities.
Depute head teacher Lisa Tosh said: “It is also a transition activity which builds on the work done with the pupils whilst they were in P7 last session, allowing them to get to know and work with other pupils in their year
“We need to find better ways to reach young people who would perhaps not have thought of working in the care sector
group and build new friendships.”
With the number of people over the age of 85 forecast to more than double in little over two decades, and a significant proportion of healthcare workers due to retire in the coming years, the sector is facing the challenge of recruiting significant numbers of staff.
Team Spirit is a replica of an event that runs annually with first year nursing students at the university and they are also part of the school programme.
Webster’s High has already been working with St Paul’s Academy in Dundee in the planning of Team Spirit and the city school hopes to run the scheme for its S1 youngsters early next year.
The Careers in Care project involves representatives from the education departments of councils in Angus and Dundee, Dundee University, NHS Tayside, Dundee and Angus College and the private care sector.
“We need to find better ways to reach young people who would perhaps not have thought of working in the care sector,” said a spokesperson.
“Through communication with schools in both Dundee and Angus, we recognise that more guidance is needed as to the range of opportunities of educational pathways and careers available.
“We aim to provide young people with a knowledge of career pathways, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their future within this growing industry.”