TRAINING
Role models – Shona McNab, Tristan Smith and Charlie Henderson are living proof of how BELPs can help both jobseekers and employers.
The course set me on the path to where I am now – I doubt I’ d have ended up here in HR without it.”
Shona McNab
job before, so the work experience part of it was really good for me. And now I can see it from the other side, I can relay to people how important it can be. When I was looking for a job, six weeks seemed quite a lot to put aside – you want a job immediately – but it’ s worth it in the long-run.”
Tristan Smith, 31, digital resource assistant: Tristan moved to the area from Peterborough over 10 years ago. To improve his CV, he was put on the short employability course covering communication techniques, problem solving, CV writing and interview skills. He then impressed at his guaranteed interview and was among those offered an apprenticeship in the Learning Resource Centre( LRC) at Stockton Riverside College. Delivering far more than he ever expected, since then, he has completed his level two, three and four apprenticeships and gained a level three teaching qualification at the college. Now a digital resource assistant, helping tutors and students get to grips with the LRC’ s digital resources, he says:“ At 21, I was young and nervous, but the course brought me out of my shell.”
Shona McNab, 28, HR coordinator: After deciding university wasn’ t for her just six weeks into her course back in 2014, Shona returned home, signed up at the jobcentre and was referred to what is now called a BELP, which she started in October the same year. After success in the end-of-course interview for a Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service, she progressed to Level 3 and midway through, was offered a permanent position with the Stockton Riverside College admissions team. Since then, she has gone on to move into human resources, working across the group. She said:“ The course set me on the path to where I am now – I doubt I’ d have ended up here in HR without it.”
Etc. adult skills manager Kelly Skeet is in no doubt about the benefits of BELPs.
She said:“ We work with employers to identify their skills gaps and find out their needs. Some employers prefer them because it’ s a‘ try before you buy’ or it can save on recruitment costs. Through the programme, you get a real insight into people’ s commitment, if they arrive on time and their general attitude.
“ In particular, they give unemployed people a taste of potential employment. And if they’ re aware of what area they want to go into, we deliver a bespoke, employer-led programme for those sectors where skills are in real demand.”
Indeed, the group’ s BELP provision is expansive, covering sectors including rope access, scaffolding, rigging and lifting, health and social care, health and safety, rail, residential childcare, business administration, hospitality and catering, supporting teaching and learning … the list goes on.
One satisfied client is Harlum Services – a consultancy and project delivery service that contacted the Etc. through Stockton Employment and Training Hub just before Christmas.
Kelly said:“ The Hub asked if we could run a bespoke programme for them, particularly for confined space operatives and supervisor roles.
“ They had 22 vacancies available on the Wilton site, so we ran two cohorts and from those, five people gained employment with them.
“ The course, which was delivered with NETA Commercial, was turned around very quickly, so we were quite proud of that one – it showed how responsive we can be.”
And with Kelly’ s team primed to run more BELPs, she’ s keen to emphasise their benefits.
She said:“ It’ s funded, local, responsive, bespoke training with a guaranteed job interview and over 90 % of delegates move on to positive destinations.
“ From an employer’ s point of view, it can effectively be used as a recruitment service, developing a bespoke programme to meet future needs or plug existing skills gaps.”
To find out more about the Bespoke Employer Led-Programmes and how they might be suitable to fill skill demands in your business and the wider sector, email employability @ stockton. ac. uk or call 01642 865568 to set up a meeting and discuss requirements.
The voice of business in the Tees region | 39