Kate Skitakova
January 7, 2025

2024 Access Skills Learner’s Recap

What a year we’ve had at Access Skills! With 2025 in full swing, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable milestones we achieved together. Our mission to empower individuals and organisations in the health and social care sector with accessible, CQC compliant high quality training continues to drive us forward. Last year was no exception, we made incredible strides, we witnessed incredible growth, forged new connections, and made a tangible impact as an organisation and also on our learners’ journeys, and here’s a detailed look at the numbers that define our journey.

The State of the Health & Social Care Sector in 2024

The health and social care sector has seen transformative growth over the past few years. As demand for skilled professionals continues to rise, the sector faces both challenges and opportunities. With a rapidly aging population, increased complexity of care needs, and ongoing workforce shortages, it is more important than ever for care workers to be equipped with the right skills and knowledge.

At Access Skills, we recognise the vital role training plays in addressing these challenges. Last year, we saw a significant uptick in the demand for professional development, as individuals and organisations sought to meet the growing need for qualified care staff. We are proud to have contributed to the sector’s ongoing development by providing accessible, engaging, and high-quality training programs in line with CQC guidelines to help learners stay ahead in an ever evolving field.

Expanding Our Learning Community

1,336 new learners joined the Access Skills journey in 2024, reflecting the growing demand for professional development in health and social care. This influx of new learners highlights the sector’s commitment to upskilling and ensuring excellence in care delivery. The need for specialised training in areas such as dementia care, palliative care, and safeguarding has never been greater. Access Skills continues to meet this demand, helping thousands of professionals hone their skills and advance their careers. For learners looking to start their journey in the care sector or care workers looking to advance their career, check out Access Skills Courses to get started.

Engaging Learning Experiences

Accumulatively, we hosted a total of 328 webinars last year, with a 63% attendance rate, these sessions provided learners with valuable insights, practical knowledge, and an engaging platform to connect with our expert tutors. Our webinars cover a broad range of topics, from hands-on care techniques to regulatory compliance and management skills. Whether learners are working toward specific certifications or seeking to expand their knowledge, our webinars provide an opportunity to engage with expert tutors and fellow learners. The success of our webinars is reflected in the feedback we receive. 9,780 registrants rated their experiences, contributing to an impressive 98.6% recommendation rate. This endorsement from our learners underscores our commitment to delivering training that makes a real difference. Our virtual learning model has enabled us to reach more professionals across the UK, making learning more accessible for everyone.

The Impact of Webinars and Virtual Learning

Virtual learning platforms have revolutionised how professionals access training, and 2024 saw more learners than ever embracing this format. With the ability to attend webinars from anywhere, our learners were able to fit training around their busy schedules, making professional development more flexible than ever before.

What sets Access Skills apart is the interactive nature of our webinars. Unlike traditional training courses, our webinars allow learners to ask questions, participate in discussions, and receive real-time feedback from tutors. This engagement ensures that the learning experience is both comprehensive and practical, providing learners with the tools they need to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

Commitment to Excellence in Assessments

Our learners submitted a total of 13,000 assignments, each assessed with care and precision by our dedicated team. To support our learners’ diverse needs, we approved 4,000 assignment extensions, a testament to our flexibility and understanding that life’s challenges can sometimes get in the way of academic deadlines. Despite this flexibility, we maintained high standards, ensuring that all assignments met the rigorous requirements necessary to uphold the quality of care in the sector. In fact, 99% of learners reported having sufficient time to prepare for their assessments, a testament of our balanced approach to support and challenge.

Addressing Overdue Work with Care

While we take deadlines seriously, we understand that life happens. In 2024, we saw a 500% increase in reported scheduling conflicts, leading to more discussions with learners about overdue work. This lighthearted statistic reminds us of the human side of learning. Balancing work, family, and education can be challenging, especially for those working in the care sector, where shifts can be unpredictable.

Our approach is to provide gentle reminders and offer flexibility, helping learners get back on track without feeling overwhelmed. We know that each learner’s situation is unique, and we’re committed to supporting them through every step of their educational journey.

Outstanding Tutor Support

Our learners repeatedly praised the professionalism and dedication of our tutors, with 100% agreeing that their tutors were supportive and instrumental in their success. From delivering webinars to providing personalised feedback, our tutors embody the spirit of excellence that defines Access Skills. Our tutors are not just experts in their fields; they are also passionate about helping learners succeed. They take the time to understand individual learner needs, offering tailored advice and guidance to ensure each learner can reach their full potential. Whether it’s providing additional resources, clarifying complex concepts, or offering emotional support, our tutors are a cornerstone of the Access Skills experience

Focus on Recruitment and Safeguarding

Recruitment and safeguarding remained top priorities for us in 2024. In line with themes highlighted in the latest CQC report, we doubled down on training initiatives designed to ensure safe, high-quality care. Our programs are tailored to meet the evolving needs of care employers, helping them maintain compliance and deliver exceptional standards of care.

We dished out insightful resources that focus specifically on recruitment strategies, providing employers with the tools they need to attract and retain the best talent in the sector. Additionally, we strengthened our safeguarding programs, ensuring that professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to protect vulnerable individuals in their care.

Testimonials and Case Studies: Real Success Stories

Nothing speaks more powerfully than the stories of learners who have benefited from ACCESS SKILLS programs. Take Sylwia, a registered manager at Accolade Support and Care who enrolled nine of her employees last year.

When I reached out to enquire about the course, Access Skills provided a detailed leaflet outlining everything we needed to know about the qualification, including eligibility criteria, course content, and how the new LDSS funding works. This made it easy for me and my team to understand the benefits and requirements. The clear communication helped our staff feel confident and prepared about what to expect from the training. Sylwia shares.

Or consider the case of a care home manager who used our leadership training to enhance team dynamics and improve staff retention. By implementing strategies learned through our program, the manager created a more supportive work environment, resulting in higher job satisfaction and improved care outcomes.

These success stories highlight the real-world impact of ACCESS SKILLS training, demonstrating how it not only benefits individual learners but also elevates care standards across the sector.

Looking Ahead : Innovation and Growth

As we reflect on a year filled with achievements, we are proud of the strides we’ve made and we remain committed to making learning in the care sector accessible, engaging, and impactful as this is just the beginning with the health and social care sector ever evolving, and so are we. Moving forward, we plan to introduce new features and resources to further enhance the learning experience, continuously improving our programs to meet the changing needs of the workforce and ensure that every learner has access to the best training available.

Our new areas of focus won’t elude you if you keep in touch. Regardless if you’re looking to specialise in a specific area of care or gain new leadership skills, ACCESS SKILLS will continue to provide the tools you need to excel.

Ready to Skill-Up?

Visit ACCESS SKILLS to explore our training programs and take the next step in your professional journey. We’re here to support you every step of the way.