Training and upskilling for businesses
TalentForge: West Suffolk Skills Development Programme
West Suffolk Council have commissioned West Suffolk College to deliver a new skills development programme, called TalentForge. The programme addresses a critical gap in supporting people in employment who are not supported by mainstream skill provision and breaks down barriers to accessing training and education.
TalentForge will identify training that is specifically relevant and required by local employers, enabling local people to access local, skilled jobs. Technical and vocational training and licences, as well as a variety of green skills courses will be on offer to both employers and unemployed people in West Suffolk. Examples will include carbon literacy training, first aid certificates, awards in welding, forklift driver training and CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) cards.
For more information, please visit West Suffolk College - TalentForge
Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
The LSIP is a plan designed to put employers at the heart of the skills agenda in this region.
Working collaboratively, Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce, in conjunction with the Department for Education (DfE), continue to highlight the fundamental skills requirements for key sectors across our region and have developed a roadmap for change to help address those skills shortages.
Find out more at: Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP - Norfolk Chamber of Commerce
Norfolk and Suffolk Skills Bootcamps
Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government's Lifetime Skills Guarantee strategy. Their aim is to:
- aid businesses to hire people with the skills required, help fill their skills vacancies
- support individuals who are currently un-employed or returning to work access funded course to develop skills and assist them to find local work
- provide the self-employed to gain additional skills to help them develop and grow their business
- provide businesses with targeted training to develop and progress their own employees within the business
Eligibility - the learner
- Adults 19 + who are full time employed, part-time employed, unemployed, returning to work or self-employed.
- If the learner is unemployed or self-employed the course is fully funded.
- If employed - the learner must be directly employed by the employer and not be a sub-contractor or freelancer.
Eligibility - the employer
- Any employer based in East Anglia can access the funding regardless of size. There are two bands of employer contributions:
- small to medium enterprises (defined as an employer with less than 250 employees) - 10 per cent.
- larger than 250 employees - 30 per cent.
Delivery
Norfolk and Suffolk Skills Bootcamps are working with 18 providers to deliver 32 programmes. Over half of these are delivered remotely with flexible delivery, so are easy to access.
Outcomes
- Unemployed learners - on completion of their course support will be provided to offer them an interview with a local employer who is recruiting
- Employed learners - the employer must be able to evidence that within a 6-month period the learner has either taken on more responsibilities within the workplace or been promoted.
To find out more please visit Suffolk County Council - Skills Bootcamps or contact skillsbootcamp@suffolk.gov.uk
Get tailored skills advice from the Growth Hub
A number of skill development and recruitment programmes are available to employers through the Government’s Plan for Jobs - kickstart, traineeships, apprenticeships, SWAPs, skills bootcamps and more. There are also funded training courses available locally which your business could benefit from. The Growth Hub skills advisers can work with you to look at the requirements you have and the skills your business needs to grow. They will then discuss the options and help you to access the training you need now and in the future. To start your skills conversation, contact the Growth Hub at info@newangliagrowthhub.co.uk Please also see the New Anglia Growth Hub - Skills Portal
West Suffolk College - employers
The college collaborates on the development and delivery of all levels of education and training through apprenticeships, professional short courses (which include ILM management training and gas and oil training and assessment), traineeships and supported internships.
West Suffolk College - employers
Help to Grow courses
There are two Government-backed Help to Grow courses, one on management and the other on digital, that are heavily subsidised and discounts are also available on software costs.
Find out more at Help to Grow - Take your business to the next level
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce People and Skills Group
Reflecting the growing importance of the 'human element' in securing the county's long-term sustainable prosperity, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has a People and Skills Group (PSG).
For more information on this group, please visit Suffolk Chamber