A new competition to raise the profile of those studying for social care jobs was launched this week.

The first round World Skills UK Caring Competition was held this weekend at Leicester College. Shortlisted participants are currently competing in the two day event, in the hopes of winning either a medal or in progressing on to the UK final of the Caring Competition.

Devised by the National Skills Academy (NSA) for Social Care and UK Skills, the competition hopes to raise the profile of social care and reward those taking an active interest in the sector. For the past few months, it has been open to applications from anyone over the age of 16 who is currently working in or currently training for the social care sector.

Competitors are asked to demonstrate their abilities in front of judges by delivering care in two different activities, devised by the NSA to replicate familiar situations for anyone working in social care. One of the activities will be a thirty-minute 'Emergency Situation' and the other will be a one-hour 'activities in daily living' challenge - where the competitors will demonstrate helping a service user carry out a regular routine.

Liz McSheehy, chief executive of the Skills Academy, said: "We are thrilled to be hosting the first national Caring Competition at Leicester College. Caring Competitions provide an opportunity for students of social care and those working in the sector to demonstrate their abilities. We hope that these competitions will raise the profile of social care as a skilled and professional career choice."