Alness care home operator Meallmore Ltd creates new job opportunities for young people in the Highlands thanks to government Kickstart Scheme
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Highland-based care home company Meallmore Ltd is to offer 66 new positions under the Kickstart Scheme.
In a bid to help young people into work, the care home provider has announced the positions are open for 24 out of its 26 homes across Scotland.
In the Highlands, this includes: Culduthel and Kinmylies Lodge care homes in Inverness; Daviot Care Home; Redwoods Care Home in Alness; and Manor Care Centre and St Olaf Care Home in Nairn.
Since opening its first care home in Inverness in 1987, Meallmore has grown to become one of Scotland’s leading providers of private residential nursing and dementia care.
The successful applicants will work for six months on a fixed term contract for a maximum of 25 hours per week. During this time the new employees will have the opportunity to work across catering, hospitality, administration and care.
The Kickstart Scheme is open to people aged 16-24 who are currently claiming Universal Credit. Last entrants to the scheme must be in post with Meallmore by March 31 2022.
The announcement follows Meallmore’s recent achievement as recipient of the prestigious Investors in People (IIP) Gold Accreditation, recognising its commitment to its people. Fewer than 1000 organisations in the whole of the UK currently have IIP Gold Accreditation, and only 62 of those are classified as care providers – with just six in Scotland.
Stephanie Otoo, group head of recruitment at Meallmore, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for over 60 young people to come and join us as Meallmore future stars for an introduction to the care sector. For six months, successful applicants will gain invaluable work-based experience and learn more about the highly rewarding careers available in care that they might not have considered before now.
“At Meallmore, we’re proud to hold the prestigious Investors in People Gold Accreditation, recognising our strong commitment to our people. But we’re also fully committed to attracting and retaining the very best talent in the industry. We’re really excited about getting involved in the Kickstart Scheme and welcoming a new generation into the Meallmore family to develop their career in care.”
Commercial director Cillian Hennessey added: “Meallmore has over 30 years’ experience of providing exceptional standards of quality care across Scotland, and we wouldn’t have this reputation without our fantastic members of staff.
"Our people are at the heart of what we do at Meallmore and we’re proud to offer training, competitive wages and career progression opportunities for all our employees.
“The Kickstart Scheme really is an incredible opportunity for young people to work within different departments in our care homes and get a taste for a variety of roles.
"What’s more, we’re hoping this is just the start of a career with Meallmore for many. We’re committed to offering roles to anyone wishing to join us permanently after three months who applies for a substantive post and is successful. We really hope to retain every single one of our Kickstarters.”
