TRIBUTE has been paid to a 15-strong group of care workers which has continued training throughout the pandemic and achieved new industry qualifications.

The team looks after residents at Czajka Care Group’s nursing homes, including Currergate at Steeton and Beanlands, Cross Hills.

Tracey Hinchliffe achieved an NVQ Level 5 in leadership and management for health and social care, whilst Sarah Chilton gained an NVQ Level 4 in health and social care.

Kelly Oldcorn, Rebecca Smith, Gavin Archibald, Saiqa Ajaib and Amjid Ali Shah all achieved a Level 2 in adult care support.

And Sarah Stott, Asad Ali Shah, Susan Smith, Pauline Rushworth, Zoe Lane, Yasmin Smith, Helen Larkin and Adelaja Przykaza achieved Level 3 in adult care support.

Konrad Czajka, managing director of Czajka Care Group, said: “These qualifications involve hundreds of hours of guided learning and qualification time.

“Learners have to evidence and achieve credits to earn their diplomas, all whilst doing their day job.

“Working in the care industry has its challenges – especially due to the current Covid-19 pandemic – but it’s also a very rewarding job where people can learn, progress and achieve new goals.

“We encourage our team to constantly further their skills and attain new qualifications and we are very proud of these recent achievements.”

The health and social care qualification, run by City & Guilds, is the recognised attainment for workers in the sector – with levels two, three and four.

The NVQ Level 5 in leadership and management gives people the opportunity to build both managerial and care skills.

Czajka Care Group has its own state-of-the-art training centre in Nab Wood.

Mr Czajka added: “We have been providing specialised training for the last ten years from our centre to all new and existing staff, as well as offering courses and training contracts to a number of other care and nursing homes across Bradford and Keighley.

“We have courses on everything from manual handling to new care standards and adult protection safeguarding. We also run a four-day training course in induction standards, which covers subjects including first aid, health and safety, infection control, communications, client confidentiality, palliative care and food hygiene.”