Bree Cronin, Carer at HC-One Wales’s Abermill Care Home, in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, has shared her personal apprenticeship story to demonstrate the learning, development and progression opportunities available within the Social Care Sector.
To mark the 18th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW)
taking place February 10 to 16, 2025, Bree, aged 21, has been reflecting on her own apprenticeship journey alongside the many skills and confidence boost it’s given her.
Situated at Abermill Care Home in August 2023, Bree soon completed her initial induction training and opted to enrol onto a Health and Social Care Level 2 apprenticeship with ACT, which she is due to complete in July 25. Providing the largest range of work-based learning qualifications, ACT have been supporting HC-One Wales to upskill and develop new apprenticeship opportunities across the country.
Bree decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps of being a Carer after speaking to her about how rewarding working in care can be and the various career opportunities available within the sector. For Bree, helping others and providing kind care comes naturally, making her new career path both a sustainable and highly rewarding one.
Bree is a disability para-athlete in discus and shotput throwing following sustaining life changing injuries which caused a lower leg impairment which affects her muscle power and range of movement.
Bree’s disability can be physically and mentally challenging most days. However, with pain management to aid the physical challenges as well as receiving encouragement, support and patience from her tutor to assist her mentally with understanding the task at hand, Bree has overcome many obstacles on her way to recovery.
This includes rebuilding her confidence and learning not to be afraid to ask for support. Bree believes her story will help and encourage others in a similar situation to her own to believe that they can complete an apprenticeship too.
Bree took the opportunity to pursue a career in the care sector, as making a positive difference to the lives of others through delivering individualised care captured her interest.
As part of her apprenticeship Bree is learning about the links between good physical health and mental health, and how these can be impacted by different factors as well as developing new skills and responsibilities for her role including duty of care, accountabilities and standards of professional behaviours.
Bree Cronin, Carer at HC-One Wales’s Abermill Care Home, commented:
“Throughout my apprenticeship my confidence has grown immensely, and it has helped me to understand and do my job well. I am enjoying gaining new knowledge through my apprenticeship which will help me to progress in my career.
“My experience has been very rewarding, and I feel lucky to have been able to complete an apprenticeship whilst working at Abermill.
“My advice to anyone considering completing an apprenticeship would be not to overthink things particularly if you struggle with written words or panic when you hear the word ‘exam’, as there is so much support available to help you.”
HC-One apprenticeships are offered to both newly recruited and existing colleagues to help develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence, giving individuals the opportunity to learn on the job skills and gain nationally recognised qualifications, alongside earning a wage. HC-One currently has over 100 colleagues undertaking an apprenticeship or qualification in Wales.
In 2024, HC-One saw 65 colleagues successfully complete their qualification programmes in Wales, and are currently supporting over 1,000 colleagues across England, Scotland and Wales to complete an apprenticeship or qualification programme within the next two to three years.
Christine Tipper, HC-One Wales’s Abermill Care Home Manager, stated:
“It is important that we offer our colleagues the right support and opportunities to learn and progress in their careers by encouraging them to reach their full potential. We recognise how important apprenticeships are in supporting our colleagues to improve and grow their careers in care as well as offering the chance to take a change in career direction.
“Bree’s experience highlights the positive impact that apprenticeships provide to inspire and encourage others to consider working in the Social Care Sector.
“I am extremely proud of what Bree and all our apprentices have achieved at HC-One Wales over the past year and look forward to celebrating their success once they have completed their apprenticeships.”
Bethan Maund, Head of Apprenticeships at ACT, commented:
"We are incredibly proud to be working with HC-One, supporting their colleagues to grow through apprenticeships and other training opportunities.
“At ACT, we are committed to equipping learners with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles, helping them to deliver exceptional care and make a meaningful impact in their communities."
For more information on career opportunities at HC-One Wales’s homes in your area visit Careers - HC-One