Jump-starting your career can be a daunting task, but for dozens of young people new pathways are being created into one of the most rewarding areas of work.
Through borough-wide partnerships with the NHS, Wigan and Leigh College and Edge Hill University, rising numbers of residents are getting the skills they need for a career in social care.
Alex and Ruby are two of the shining stars already making a difference.
For Alex France, a six-month apprenticeship scheme with teams at Wigan Council was his first step on the ladder that has led to a permanent position at The Zone day service at Robin Park.
The 23-year-old worked within the council’s supported living service and respite care during his apprenticeship, helping people with learning disabilities and autism.
“It has been a great way to ease into my role and it has been a nice learning experience,” he explains.
“Each team has been understanding and offered support and direction.
“Towards the end of my apprenticeship, I applied through the council’s Care To Join Us recruitment programme and was successful in obtaining my permanent position.
“It was gratifying to know the team were pleased with my performance when on placement, showing my hard work paid off.”
Alex’s route is just one of the many ways for residents to gain experience and set them off on the right track for a career in care.
The council and care providers offer a huge range of placement opportunities for young people studying T Levels and BTEC qualifications in health and care at our local colleges.
During her first year, Ruby Morris, a T Level student at Wigan and Leigh College, gained not only an inside-look into the many different areas of social care, but also how residents with complex needs are supported throughout the borough.
“The whole experience so far has not only given me an insight of future careers but has shown me a realistic way of how people are living in our world.
“I found it really interesting learning about the homeless provision, how they are supported and how services help to move individuals into more settled accommodation.”
Another route available to residents is Step Into Care, a pre-employment programme, which provides a taster of social care through a mix of classroom learning and on-the-job experience.
The programme provides an excellent opportunity for those interested in social care to gain an understanding of the sector, as well as gain some practical training so that they can make an informed decision about whether it is a career they wish to pursue.
Step Into Care is run in collaboration with the council and is a prime example of the local authority’s commitment to fostering local talent.
With these initiatives and several more, Wigan Council is not only creating employment opportunities but also ensuring the provision of high-quality care for its residents.
One of England’s top providers for supported living
The delivery of more than 30 new supported living apartments in the last 12 months has placed Wigan Council as one of the leading providers in the country. 
The authority ranks second for the proportion of adults with a learning disability who live in their own home or with family. A further 14 apartments are planned to be completed by the middle of next year.
Supported living accommodation gives people their own tenancy, with the support of workers who are on-site should they need them.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care, said: “These apartments make such a big difference to the tenants who are able to live independently in their own homes, while still having extra support when they need it.
“I could not be prouder of all the hard work by the council’s adult social care team, as well as our fantastic partners who have helped to deliver units built to the highest standards.”
One of the most recent to be completed is Eastdale in Ince.