JDW makes 'significant investment' in health sector
The funds will cover the recruitment, training, and deployment of 68 Adult Care Apprentices, to achieve between a Level 2 (Adult Care Worker) and Level 5 (Leader in Adult Care) Diploma in Care.
Each level, funded by Wetherspoons’ donation, will include apprenticeship standards as well as an industry-recognised qualification chosen by individuals depending on their area of specialisation, for example, care for the elderly, dementia-specific, learning disabilities, or mental health.
Significant investment
All apprentices will be taught and assessed by a qualified appraiser, leading to a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) accreditation and training them to deliver safe, empathetic, and effective care.
Cera chief people officer Annabel Nash said: “All of us at Cera are delighted to receive such significant investment from Wetherspoons as part of the Apprenticeship Levy.
“Being selected as the recipient for this generous donation is testament to Wetherspoons’ understanding of just how important funding is for the health and care sector.
“This sizeable donation will go a long way in growing the talent pool and attracting new recruits to a rewarding, lifelong career in care.”
Cautiously optimistic
To date Cera, which delivers services on behalf of more than 100 Local Governments and 75% of NHS Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), has allocated around £100,000 of the funds.
JDW first awarded the funds in December 2022, giving the healthcare provider until April 2023 to distribute the remainder on frontline apprenticeships by JDW.
This comes as the operator recently announced a 7.5% price increase across its food and drink offer after the sale of 10 sites, resulting in a cash flow of £2.9m, with 35 pubs still on the market.
Additionally, in the pubcos most recent trading update, JDW chair Tim Martin said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the company’s prospects for the financial year.
