Staff from the college are visiting Job Centre Plus every Tuesday morning to provide advice and guidance to job centre clients about the training opportunities that are available to them. These training opportunities have the potential to enhance their employability and increase their range of skills for future employment.

The collaboration between Stratford-upon-Avon College and Job Centre Plus is as a result of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) investing £83million over the next 16 months to fund an extra 75,000 training places specifically for those who have been unemployed for six months or more. This funding has led to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) working closely with both colleges and Job Centre Plus to ensure that training is not only relevant to the local labour market but also that individuals will be supported through the relevant funding stream to complete their qualifications and progress their career.

Stratford-upon-Avon College is offering training opportunities in hospitality and catering, front of house hospitality, information technology and health and social care. The training programmes and the level of support provided are flexible to suit the needs and circumstances of each individual. Comprehensive induction and training is given to all candidates as well as general advice about the study routes that are available.

Once a candidate has secured new employment, the support doesn’t end there. The college encourages continued training once in employment through the Train to Gain programme, an apprenticeship or part-time study to fit around work commitments. This will enable participants to

achieve a full level 2 or 3 qualification, further increasing their career opportunities for the future. Hazel Skwirzynska, the college’s Director of Learner Services, comments,” We are delighted to be working in such a positive way with Job Centre Plus to provide training and support, not just to help people back into work, but to assist them with further training opportunities to help them to progress their longer term careers.”

For a project that only began last week, the college and Job Centre Plus have already received a large number of enquiries as to the training options available. For more information about this new initiative and how we can help you, please contact Rosie Herbert at the college on 01789 266245 or visit Job Centre Plus on Tuesday mornings from 9.30am-12.30pm.