A NEW course aiming to give students the opportunity to explore a career in health and social care will be launching at Alloa’s Forth Valley College campus.

Launching in January and running until 2024, the course will offer tailored learning packages designed to meet the needs of unemployed people and low-income parents across the Wee County.

The course, entitled Caring Careers: Essential Skills for Employment, has been made possible following the awarding of a grant from the Clackmannanshire Local Employability Partnership – No-one left behind/tackling child poverty grant scheme.

This provided the college’s department of care, sport, business and communities with £25,000 to launch the six-week specialised course.

Cllr Graham Lindsay, spokesperson for education for Clackmannanshire Council, said: “I am delighted to see Forth Valley College delivering this course after receiving funding from our Local Employability Partnership.

“As a council, we are determined to improve the lives of as many of our residents as we can and this new course aligns perfectly with our focus on tackling poverty and unemployment.

“I sincerely hope those attending the course will find it useful and it is hopefully the first step towards a new career and a brighter future for them and their families.”

The course will aim to highlight the opportunities in health and social care and help enable students to put themselves forward for them.

The six-week intensive programme will work to support and engage learners, building confidence and skills, aimed at developing and fulfilling their aspirations and employability.

The course will hope to take Clackmannanshire residents on and work to drive down unemployment rates within the area.

Jane Muir, curriculum manager in Forth Valley College’s department of care, sport business and communities, fully backed the course and the opportunities it presents to people in Clackmannanshire.

She said: “I am delighted that the college has secured the funding to deliver this vital course.

“This is an opportunity for parents in Clackmannanshire to take their first steps towards a career in the caring services.

“We look forward to welcoming these new students to the Alloa campus in January.”

Apply via forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/caring-careers-essential-skills-for-employment.