Struggling to recruit carers who can drive

CAREMARK . . . (from left) Stephanie Doherty and Helan Graham (owners) with Joanne Kelly and Howard Hunter

AN AWARD-WINNING care firm says its recruitment is being hampered by factors including the public's lack of awareness about careers in the sector ­- and a shortage of candidates who can drive.

Caremark Oldham provides care and companionship services to adults and children, and has just under 50 employees.

The Lees-based business says demand is growing but it has struggled to recruit recently. It has had to turn away dozens because they cannot drive and think lessons are too expensive.

Caremark Oldham takes on men and women, young and old, who typically work in patches near their home. It offers full- and part-time opportunities, which it says suit partly retired people, or younger people with children and family commitments.

The business, a franchise, was established in 2011 by Stephanie Doherty and Helan Graham.

Mrs Graham said: "We hadn't experienced any problems until the past 12 months. We went through a patch when we were unable to take on some new work because of a lack of the type of workers we needed. A lot of people want to work but say driving is an issue, because of the costs of learning. So there is a shortfall between the number of people who want to work but cannot.

"We need people who can drive because staff sometimes use their cars to drive customers to hospital or doctors' appointments, or social events."

They said Oldham Council and Jim McMahon, when he was the council leader, supported a campaign to promote transport industry driving jobs and training, so perhaps something could be done for the care sector.

They were referring to the Warehouse to Wheels scheme, launched in 2014, by the council and training firm Mantra Learning. The programmed aimed to tackle the shortage of LGV drivers in the borough by enabling workers to advance their careers and helping local firms to grow.

Regarding other recruitment issues, Stephanie said: "There is a lack of awareness about the nature and range of care work, career prospects and the type of people suited to these roles. People may be unaware of how rewarding care work itself can be.

"We think some of our roles are ideal for people in their 50s who are semi-retired or have taken early retirement but still want some work."

Visit www.oldham.gov.uk/gow, email employability@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161-770 4674.