WARDHAYES Care Home will be one of seven homes in Devon to pilot a new apprenticeship programme.

Devon County Council and Ofsted Outstanding training provider PSC Training and Development's care department are launching the scheme to attract new entrants to the industry.

This is the first time the county council has set up a social care apprenticeship programme within its own residential homes. It is currently recruiting for the pilot programme and is inviting applications by Friday, August 10. Apprentices will work towards achieving a national qualification in social care, supported by a combination of training and practical work experience.

Cllr Stuart Barker, Devon County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: 'We have some very well run homes which can provide excellent training for people wanting careers with adult social care.

'They will be working in our homes at a particularly exciting time, as we are embarking on an £11.2 million investment programme to redevelop some of our homes into centres of excellence for people with dementia, while refurbishing others.'

Mike Blakeley, business development manager for PSC Training, said: 'At the time of high unemployment for young people in the region, it is encouraging to work with employers who recognise the benefits of employing apprentices.'

The council also runs apprenticeships in business administration, customer service, ICT, civil engineering.

For more information and to apply online, visit http://www.devonjobs.gov.uk">www.devonjobs.gov.uk call the First Stop Desk on 01392 383034. For an informal discussion, call Julie Vaughen-Atkins on 07967 629519 or Michelle Allison on 07773 624230.