Having had recent success with gold awards for both its crèche (25 children) and catering services (100 meals three times a day with huge menu), the training team at Park House Court Nursing Home, Tenby, reached the finals in the recent 'Business in the Community' National Awards.

In the people development award, Park House demonstrated their support of their own employees via internal training and holding accreditations with awarding bodies to facilitate vocational qualifications (City and Guilds) for overseas staff who are not eligible for European Funding or those from the EU whose English is not good enough to go to college.

Other external qualifications (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) are made available for the cost of the certificate, for instance L3 in food or safety. Basic skills and English lessons are available on site, and support is given for a masters degree.

Although proud of their own provision, they work with both the local college and a training provider who in both cases operate as the home want, that is they accredit competence across all departments, on site. Park House is not interested in certificates through the post.

The home is also accredited to deliver the Adaptation Course for Nurses via two Universities. They are pleased that many who come to us go on to bigger/better jobs across the globe, Australia in particular at the moment

The community aspect of the award reflects the support the training team give care and hotel businesses in the area, and although they major on West Wales, they have regular clients as far as Cardiff.

One hundred per cent of the training team are practitioners, experienced and qualified and are happy to deliver on others premises. Members of the team are also used on an ad hoc basis by other training companies. Contact [email protected]">[email protected] for more information.