Adrian Pruchniki
Study Type: Adult and Community
Study Location: The Roundhouse
Subject Studied: Health
Guaranteed job interview ‘immensely helpful’ for adult care worker Adrian.
Former Derby College student Adrian Pruchnicki is only days into his new role caring for people with learning disabilities, but he’s already finding it incredibly rewarding.
Adrian, 26, got his job with residential care home House 169 after taking part in a level 1 adult social care course run by Derby College Group.
Funded via the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), his training at the Roundhouse was through SWAP, the work sector-based academy programme.
SWAP gives jobseekers the chance to learn new skills in a high-demand sector such as social care, as well as guaranteeing them a job interview.
Adrian said: “I chose the adult social care course as I had the overwhelming feeling that I wanted to make a difference to someone.
“I enjoyed it, it was fun. Our teacher was very chilled and laid back. Being guaranteed a job interview was immensely helpful too. It’s what got me to where I am right now.”
Originally from Poland, Adrian has some prior experience of care work, but with elderly people, not with young adults nearer his own age like the residents at House 169.
He added: “It’s only a few days since I finished my three days of shadowing other staff and started my first shifts, but I’ve already had nice interactions with residents.
“Some of the young adults we care for have their challenges, but it’s good to see we’re making them happy with what we’re doing.
“The staff and residents are nice, which makes for a very pleasant workplace culture.”
Adrian, who has a degree in a subject unrelated to health and social care, took GCSEs with DCG, then a BTEC at Joseph Wright Centre when he first came to live in Derby.
Being guaranteed a job interview was immensely helpful