The project provides participants with a menu of ‘interventions’ that bring together formal units, in-work skills, personal development and pastoral support. Interventions are available singularly or in any combination and revolve around a series of employer-led activities  designed to progressively develop the skills and in-work capabilities demanded by participant’s employers and the sectors in which they are employed. These sector-based workshops bring participants together to jointly discuss and work on solutions to real-world business scenarios presented by participating employers.

The project has five key aims which are designed to help low skilled employees with disadvantageous circumstances (particularly disabled employees, BAME employees, older employees, female employees and employees living in a single adult household with dependent children) progress within their employment.

Aims

  1.  safeguard the employed status of disadvantaged employed people through the acquisition of basic skills.
  2. To underpin the capacity for growth among SMEs and micro-businesses through developmental support provided to their disadvantaged employees.
  3. To raise the skills level of disadvantaged employees so they may exploit in-work progression opportunities.
  4. To support the growth of participating SMEs and micro-businesses by improving the productivity of disadvantaged employees through raising skills levels up to level 3.
  5. To provide disadvantaged employees with updated skills, knowledge and confidence to plan sustainable employment pathways.

Benefits of Participation

The project provides a wide range of benefits for participating employees and employers, examples of which include:

  • The provision of basic skills units, within a learner-centred environment.
  • Sector-based units at level 2 and 3.
  • Employment related support services offered through a Careers Hub.
  • Advocacy to employers on behalf of employees to facilitate their ‘buy-in’.
  • Empower learners through a regular review process where they can identify progress against agreed milestones.
  • Support functions such as one to one Employee Mentors, focus groups and learner forums.
  • Extensive stakeholder links enabling complimentary support services for participant's addressing barriers and needs.
  • Delivery methods directly respond to participants and employer’s needs.
  • Improved professional and personal skills, awareness of community issues and enhanced employee engagement.

Interventions

Intervention 1 – In-Work Skills Plan (IWSP).

Working together with an assigned Employee Mentor who has specialist knowledge and experience of the relevant sector, participants will create a robust ‘In-Work Skills Plan’ (IWSP).  The IWSP is an in-depth training and work-skills assessment that maps the participant’s job description, role specification and job tasks against their skills, experience and knowledge base.

Intervention 2 – Employer Activities (Work Based Competence).

Real-world work tasks provided by participating employers are presented to participants who are then supported to consider the most appropriate options to resolve the tasks. Tasks are designed to develop essential work skills i.e. using initiative, assertiveness, problem solving, interpersonal skills, communication skills etc with support from Employee Mentors.

Intervention 3 – Functional Skills.

Pearson Edexcel Entry Level 1 through to Level 2 Functional skills units in English and Maths will equip participants with practical skills required in the workplace and in everyday life. The project will raise their basic skills level, which will provide the foundation for sustainable employment.

Intervention 4 – Sector Specific Training (Level 2 and 3). 

Training given within the industry sector for peoples with disadvantages. The portfolio of units being offered at Level 2 and Level 3 include:

Project will provide training upto Level 3 for disadvantaged employees working within the retail sector, health & social care and hospitality. Participants will have the opportunity to complete intervention 3 first and then progress onto Intervention 4 in order to support their skills development and underpin their competence at work.

Intervention 5 – Pastoral Support.

Personal development through one to one and small groups will foster commitment to the project for participants experiencing difficulties or circumstances that may hinder progress.  Key matters that the pastoral support function will address through advice surgeries include the disclosure of criminal convictions, strategies for managing work limiting health conditions and dealing with in-work debt/poverty.

Intervention 6 – Participant Forums.

These are participant-led forums that enable participants to share employment related experiences and assist one another through peer to peer support. There is one forum for each sector being targeted and they will take place monthly at an NLET site.  Employers are not involved in the forums as they are platforms that act as help-groups where participants may openly discuss issues that affect their employment.  Shared experiences will add value to participant’s learning experience and offer insight into how peers are coping with the demands of the workplace and the sharing of strategies that peers use to deal with work related matters.

Intervention 7 – Careers Hub.

The NLET careers hub will provide additional support to participants that is linked specifically to the labour market. For example, the Hub provides one to one support on assisting participants with matters such as understanding HR policies, contracts of employment and self-employment.  It also holds information on further in-work support and vacancies that offer higher level employment progression within Health & Social Care, Hospitality and Retail.

Project Policies

Complaints Policy and Procedure Complaints Policy and Procedure Jan 2020 (V4) ESF London Learning - Equality Policy ESF London Learning - Equality Policy (V3 Nov19) ESF London Learning - Sustainability Policy ESF London Learning - Sustainability Policy (V3 Nov19) ESF London Learning Anti-Fraud Statement ESF London Learning Anti-Fraud Statement Feb 2020 (V1) ESF London Learning Document Retention Policy ESF London Learning Document Retention Policy Feb 2020 (V1) ESF London Learning Publicity Policy ESF London Learning Publicity Policy Feb 2020 (V2) Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy Feb 2020 (V4) Whistleblowing Policy Whistleblowing Policy Jan2020 (V4)