Building a Resilient Future
A Guest Blog by Allison Pemberton, Head of Learning and Development at Voyage Care
At Paragon Skills, we are proud to work alongside some of the most forward-thinking care providers in the UK. One of our most valued partnerships is with Voyage Care, a leading provider of specialist care and support. In this guest blog, Allison Pemberton, Head of Learning and Development at Voyage Care, shares her reflections on the challenges facing the care sector, the power of apprenticeships, and how our partnership is helping to shape a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.
How apprenticeships and youth engagement are pivotal for transforming the care sector
The UK care sector is at a critical juncture. With increasing demand, persistent workforce shortages, and growing complexity in care needs, providers face mounting pressure to deliver high-quality, person-centred support. Yet, amid these challenges, innovative partnerships and forward-thinking strategies are helping reshape the future of care, one apprentice at a time.
The challenges facing the care sector
Recent reports have highlighted a range of systemic issues impacting the care industry. From underfunding and fragmented policy to post-pandemic burnout and recruitment struggles, the sector is navigating a perfect storm of pressures. The vacancy rate in adult social care remains alarmingly high, with over 130,000 roles currently unfilled. Colleague turnover, particularly among younger workers, is a persistent issue, driven by low pay, limited career progression, and workplace culture concerns.
Voyage Care and Paragon Skills: A partnership for progress
In response to these challenges, Voyage Care has partnered with Paragon Skills to deliver a comprehensive apprenticeship programme that supports those both new to care and existing colleagues. This collaboration offers structured, role-relevant training across multiple levels, from support worker to service manager, helping individuals build confidence, competence, and nationally recognised qualifications.
With over 20 years of experience in delivering award-winning training, Paragon Skills tailors its programmes to meet the needs of both learners and employers alike. For Voyage Care, this means a more skilled, motivated workforce and a clearer pathway for career progression. Something the sector urgently needs now, more than ever.
As the partnership evolves and we progress on our journey, the partnership continues to support Voyage Care’s ambition to remain an employer of choice in the sector, supporting our employee value proposition, ETHOS values, and commitment to fulfilling lives for all.
The Care Workforce Pathway: A career structure for the sector
Launched in 2024 and expanded in 2025, the Care Workforce Pathway is a landmark initiative developed by the Department of Health and Social Care in collaboration with Skills for Care. It outlines eight role categories, from “new to care” to “registered manager” and defines the knowledge, skills, values, and behaviours required at each stage.
This framework is helping to professionalise the sector, improve colleague satisfaction, and create a more attractive career proposition. For employers like Voyage Care, it provides a clear structure to support recruitment, retention, and succession planning.
Engaging the next generation of care professionals
One of the most pressing challenges is attracting and retaining younger people in the care workforce. Despite their potential, 18–24-year-olds make up only 8% of the sector, and more than half of workers under 20 leave within their first year. Research shows that while young people value the meaningful nature of care work, they often face barriers such as poor support, age-related bias, and unclear career pathways.
To address this, Voyage Care’s Young Apprenticeship Programme offers 18+ year-olds the opportunity to earn while they learn, gain hands-on experience, and build a career from the ground up. Supported by Paragon Skills, these apprenticeships provide mentorship, structured learning, and real-world impact, making care a viable and rewarding career choice. This is especially vital in the sector, given recent changes to visa and sponsorship opportunities for overseas workers.
The future of the care sector depends on its ability to adapt, innovate, and invest in people. Partnerships like that of Voyage Care and Paragon Skills, combined with national frameworks like the Care Workforce Pathway, are laying the foundation for a more resilient, skilled, and inclusive workforce.
By embracing apprenticeships and actively engaging younger people, the sector can not only address immediate staffing challenges but also build a sustainable pipeline of passionate professionals, ready to lead the way in person-centred care.
The success of these initiatives is driven by the unwavering commitment of dedicated colleagues from both Paragon Skills and Voyage Care. Their passion, expertise, and collaborative spirit are instrumental in shaping a care sector that is not only resilient but also inclusive and future-ready. By continuing to invest in apprenticeships and youth engagement, and by fostering strong partnerships, we can build a workforce empowered to deliver exceptional, person-centred care for generations to come.
A call to action for employers
If you’re an employer in the care sector looking to strengthen your workforce, now is the time to invest in apprenticeships and youth engagement. Partner with Paragon Skills to build a future-ready team that delivers exceptional, person-centred care.
Get in touch with us today to explore how we can support your workforce development goals.