We have been funding new skills-based projects that help people prepare for work in innovative ways that are adapted to social distancing.
Building Pathways – London North and East
Building Pathways is aiming to inspire, train and support 90 residents from the boroughs of Greenwich, Newham and Bromley into construction careers. It will work collaboratively with 4 construction contractors, local job brokerage schemes and a number of skills training providers to offer a range of services inclucing information, advice and guidance, careers events, and online, classroom and site-based courses and mentoring.
They will deliver during COVID-19 social distancing measures by continuing to use remote learning where possible and following guidance on distancing for any site based activities.
Friends of Stour Connect – Dorset
Covering North Dorset, the new project Connect 2 Employment will support people with disabilities to develop sought after skills required within regional key sectors (catering, woodworking, retain and administration). Using a holistic approach focussed on personal, social and employment skills, participants will be able to gain an ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) qualification through the programme.
Practical experience will be gained in person in line with COVID-19 government guidelines, and participants will be supported to complete theory training modules online to minimise face-to-face contact.
The Slough Job Creation Hub – Thames Valley Berkshire
Over the past few months, The Slough Job Creation Hub has observed the many talents and skills of those volunteering in Slough who have been furloughed or made redundant as a result of the COVID-19 situation. They were inspired to begin a project that will encourage, educate and mentor people who have recently lost jobs, or haven’t been working for some time to provide local services from their homes. The vision is to inspire a ‘Cottage Industry’ of small home-based, self-employed people as a cooperative providing services to their local community.
The Job Creation Hub will assist with the set-up, training, and mentoring to launch the home-based co-operative service. It will also provide a marketing, promotion and distribution service. Participants will be guided to choose a trade to suit their interest and ability.
The Harbour Project – Swindon and Wiltshire
Using a person-centric approach, Stepping Forward will support refugees in Swindon to develop a learning programme tailored to their needs with activities such as skill courses, mentoring, volunteering opportunities, CV development and job application writing. The project will give them tools to understand the UK job market and access employment.
In order to deliver the activities successfully, the project will combine online sessions with participants, 1-2-1 phone sessions and face-to-face meetings in line with their COVID-19 drop-in centre phased reopening plan.