Today, the WeCare Wales campaign has launched a new jobs portal, to help social care employers advertise their high number of vacancies, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The social care sector is under increasing pressure to provide vital services to the most vulnerable people in our communities as more staff follow self-isolating guidelines.
To address these urgent shortages, employers have been taking to social media to recruit more people in a range of roles such as carers, chefs and drivers.
The WeCare Wales campaign is working with employers to share their job vacancies on Twitter using the hashtag #WeCareWalesJobs. All vacancies will be collated on the www.WeCare.wales/jobs for jobseekers to search. There are already over 400 jobs listed, with a range of temporary positions to address the immediate need and more long-term jobs available.
With thousands of people within the hospitality, leisure and retail sector facing unemployment or an uncertain future, WeCare Wales is urging people to consider the transferrable skills they can use in a career in care, from working with people and providing a service to others. The aim is to fill short-term roles during this emergency, but the experienced gained could potentially help people consider a long-term career in care.
Sue Evans, Chief Executive of Social Care Wales said:
“First and foremost, it’s important that we recognise all our social care employees for the work they do to care for others during this time. They really are the lifeline our communities need.
“Now more than ever, we are seeing the vital services they provide to help the people who need it most, but we need more people with the right skills to help, right now.
“Employers across the country are facing a skills deficit as they struggle to find enough staff to cope with demand. The WeCare Wales jobs portal will make it easier for employers to fill their vacancies as we drive jobseekers from across the country to view live jobs in their area.
“These are unsettling times for us all, and I urge anyone who may find themselves unemployed, to consider how their existing skills could help them thrive in a social care role. It really could open so many opportunities for you to help people in your area for the long term.”
