In January 2018 Keys Group opened its new training academy. Based in Wrexham this central educational and training hub offers company specific training and development to the 1,500 employees at The Keys Group across England and Wales. Supporting the philosophy of caring and commitment to making a real difference to young lives; the Keys Academy strives to ensure staff reach their potential and offer a real career pathway in childcare. We offer the right blend for training, E-learning combined with classroom teaching benefits; allowing our learners to develop at their own pace and to gain specialist knowledge about the young people they are working with. Our learning and development professionals offer a coaching and mentorship approach with all the learners.
In support of the mission to employ outstanding staff, The Keys Group has developed a wide-ranging learning and development strategy that is deployed in each of our homes and services. Regardless of their role, employees are given every opportunity to progress through formal learning channels. From the onset, new recruits attend an extensive 10 day induction programme where they can meet and bond with their co-workers, learn the fundamentals of childcare provision and start on the path of a vocational qualification.
Underpinning this approach are apprenticeships; a pivotal element of the workforce development programme. Working in partnership with GP Strategies, a leading training and development organisation, staff are offered and supported through level 3 and level 5 apprenticeships opportunities across many disciplines.
Our Future Leaders programme, takes talented, enthusiastic managers and gives them the opportunity to gain new skills, knowledge and competencies to develop their leadership potential.
Commenting on The Keys Academy, Irene Russell, Head of Learning and Development, said:
“Training is so important for all of our staff to enable them to maximise their own potential and to provide the best possible opportunities for the young people that we support. It is fantastic to have resources such as The Academy and our new Support Centre in Halesowen, near Birmingham. Together they help us to provide a central focus for all our training and development activities.”