Skills

SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES – HELP FOR EMPLOYERS

Hampshire Economic Partnership is fully committed to supporting businesses across all sectors through the various skills and employment programmes available. Below is a short summary of the main features of each programme

Training And Grants

Train to Gain (Government Initiative)

• A tailored training package for employees.
• Possible eligibility for funding to support training.
• No business too large or too small.
• An independent Business Link Adviser, college or training provider identifying quality courses.
• Training schedule to minimise disruption to your business.
• Basic skill training available such as Numeracy and Literacy.

Management and Leadership Grants

• Specific funding for leadership and management skills.
• £500 is available to managing directors, owner managers and company directors.
• Up to £500 further grant available to a senior manager on a matched funding basis.
• Accessed through Train to Gain.
• Free training needs analysis for  5 – 250 employees only.

For more information on the Train to Gain schemes available please call: 0845 600 9006.

Alternatively visit: http://www.traintogain.gov.uk

Recruitment

Apprenticeships

• Support for new and existing employees.
• Work based training designed to meet the needs of employers.
• Recognised BTEC qualifications.
• Support from a training provider.
• The right apprenticeship for your business.
• A training plan.
• Advice on available funding.
• Fully funded training for 16 – 18 year olds, 50% of funding provided for 19+.
• Grants of up to £4,000 under a new Apprenticeship Grant Scheme run by Hampshire County Council for equipment, mentoring and training costs not covered by Government provision.

For more information on Apprenticeship schemes available please call: 08000 150 600.

Alternatively visit: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Recruitment Subsidy

• Up to £1,000, paid in two instalments, towards recruitment costs when employing a jobseeker who has been out of work for more than six months.
• Up to £1,500 for further training depending on circumstances.
• Employment should last at least 26 weeks and average 16 hours per week.

Work Trials

• Employers can try out potential employees for up to 30 days at no cost.
• The employee remains on benefit for the duration of the work trial.
• Suitable for most jobs over 16 hours a week that are expected to last at least 3 months.

For more information on Recruitment Subsidy, Work Trials or to advertise a vacancy with Business Link please call:

0845 600 9 006.

Alternatively visit: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

Graduate Recruitment Opportunities

Graduate Talent Pool

• A new service, designed to help match the skills businesses require with those offered by new and recent graduates.
• Advertise internship opportunities for free directly to graduates.
• You can also register up to 10 key questions to filter out those who are not suitable to apply for your vacancies.
• Offer internships that are paid, unpaid, or expenses only.

For more information please call the Graduate Talent Pool helpline: 0845 072 7598.

Alternatively please visit: http://graduatetalentpool.bis.gov.uk

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

• Employ local graduates to undertake commercial projects on behalf of the business.
• Heavily subsidised support which covers an area of work, which an employer would like to develop.

For more information on Knowledge Transfer Partnerships please call: 0870 190 2829.

Alternatively please visit: http://www.ktponline.org.uk/

Redundancy

Rapid Response Service

• Available to all employers making 20 or more redundancies.
• A range of job search support such as CV writing and applying for jobs online.
• Orientation session on how to claim in- and out-of-work benefits.
• Co-ordinated access to services of partner organisations of Jobcentre Plus such as ACAS, trade unions and HMRC.
• Presentations about available support for staff facing redundancy.
• Information about alternative jobs within the labour market.
• Skills analysis to help identify relevant, transferable skills.
• Highlighting training needs.
• Job-focused training to help individuals develop vocational skills needed within the local labour market.
• An 'action fund' to overcome individual more short-term barriers to taking up a specific job offer, e.g. travel expenses.
• General information about benefits and making claims.
• A tailored package of support.

For more information on Rapid Response Service please contact Business Link on: 0845 600 8192.

Alternatively please visit: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

Other Initiatives and Opportunities

Compete For

• A free service that enables businesses to compete for contract opportunities linked to the London 2012 games.
• CompeteFor acts as a brokerage service, matching buyers with potential suppliers.
• Help boost the long–term competitiveness of your business.

For further information about the government support on offer for businesses interested in taking advantage of the opportunities of the 2012 Games, please visit www.competefor.com

Research and Development Tax Credits

• Companies whose work includes an element or significant proportion of R & D in their business can apply for a refund against tax credits for these activities.
• Claims can be made for the last two financial years.
• No win no fee basis.

For more information on Research and Development Tax Credits please visit http://www.ggtc.co.uk/.

 

Case Studies

The Spinnaker Tower soars to team success with support from Business Link’s skills advice service

Soaring 170 metres above the Solent, the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth has already become an iconic landmark since its opening in October 2005.

The Tower was built with Millennium Commission funding and provides a spectacular observation platform from which to view a large part of Central Southern England and the Isle of Wight. Whilst the Tower is owned by Portsmouth City Council, the attraction is managed by the Continuum Group, who operate a variety of attractions across the UK, on a 15 year lease. The team at the Tower, who have autonomy over training and development, first contacted their Skills Adviser at the beginning of 2008 and have used the service, which is now delivered through Business Link, since then.

The Challenge

Paul Mahy, Commercial Manager at the Spinnaker Tower contacted his Skills Adviser as result of a meeting with Tourism South East, the Government’s local support body for the tourism industry. As part of the meeting, a representative suggested that Paul and the team may benefit from advice and possible funding to support the growing business and issues he was facing.

Commenting on the initial meeting, Paul said: ‘As a year-round attraction we need to have a team ready and able to cope with a demanding working environment. We employ 30 full time staff as well as up to 30 part time members to cope with seasonal fluctuations. As part of the performance management process, I wanted to offer my staff the opportunity to up-skill, receive vocational training and develop within their roles.’

Following the initial meeting, their Skills Adviser, Andrea Lloyd conducted a Skills Review on the business. The key points to emerge were issues affecting the integration of permanent and seasonal staff. Paul had also noticed that there was an inconsistency in the way the various departments approached customer service and there was no formal progression pathway set up for leadership and management.

The Solution

From this review, a variety of course requirements were identified including NVQs and Apprenticeships in Customer Service, House Keeping, Business Administration and Team Leadership. As part of the process, Andrea also suggested a number of training providers who could deliver the various solutions. HTP Training based on the Isle of Wight, and a leading regional provider of courses to the hospitality industry were appointed and soon got to work on developing courses which fitted around the business and various working patterns of the team.

Commenting on the programme, Andrea said: ‘In any fast growing business there are always a number of issues which can affect the growth. By conducting a Skills Review of the business and staff, we were able to identify development needs and cross match them to the relevant vocational courses.

‘In the case of the Spinnaker Tower we identified core skills needs as well as managerial requirements which could pull the team together and push the business forward – ultimately meeting the demands of the public at this great visitor attraction.’

Results

Commenting on the success of the programme, Paul Mahy said: ‘I wanted the staff to feel valued members of the Spinnaker Tower team and give them the opportunity to develop through vocational training. As part of this development, employees have progressed within their roles, enabling the business to create a succession plan for the future – whilst maximising staff potential as well as leadership and management opportunities. Through Business Link’s skills advice service and Andrea’s diagnostic tool we were able to confirm the areas which needed attention and action them. Since the team started the courses in June 2008, the morale and motivation have improved as staff feel valued through the up-skilling process.

‘As well as our own corporate financial investment in the programme, we are also delighted to have received considerable funding, in excess of £15,000, through Train to Gain – an added bonus. Our experience of Business Link and Andrea’s support has been extremely positive. Having gone through this process we have recently signed the Skills Pledge and are now looking at the Investors in People Standard as our next step in the HR process.’

Web: www.spinnakertower.co.uk

Business Link’s skills advice service – driving success at Radio Taxis (Fareham)

It was during an informal bowling game that Radio Taxis (Fareham), a Hampshire based business operating a taxi service within the South Hampshire area, first learned about Train to Gain, now delivered by Business Link in the South East of England.

The company is made up of over 90 self employed drivers who operate under the company banner as well as ten full time office support workers. Each year a different driver takes over as Chair of the business, guiding and steering the development of the organisation.

Over the last year, Steve Clark, one of the drivers, has taken on the role of business leader and was made aware of the skills advice service through meeting one of the Skills Advisers, Emma Clark, during the bowling event.

The Challenge

Although initially unaware of the service, it was clear from his initial informal discussions with Emma that Steve and the business faced many of the common issues affecting small businesses across a variety of industries including morale, absenteeism as well as varying levels of customer service.

He knew that competition in the marketplace was fierce with independents and other operators working in the South Hampshire area. They therefore needed to stay competitive, whilst providing excellent customer service.

Steve knew that a well skilled team could facilitate many of the changes they needed as well as helping promote the business through increased service levels and the ‘word of mouth’ recommendations which would subsequently follow. These improvements would be particularly important to the business in light of the economic downturn.

In addition to the ‘core’ skills, Steve was keen to see each driver recognised for the effort and time taken away from the driving business. Train to Gain offered a way of acknowledging achievements whilst maintaining the flexibility of learning on the job, or at times which were convenient for all concerned.

The Solution

Whilst the initial discussions were conducted in a social environment, it became clear that Steve and the business needed a Skills Review, which identified the business’s requirements and skills of those employed to meet them.

Commenting on the service, Steve Clark said: ‘We met with Emma and she made us aware of the training options available to both the drivers and the office based staff. In order to comply with both current and future legislation, we were looking to improve Radio Taxis’ operating performance as well as the levels of driver service to our customers. We required a framework within which we could all improve. The NVQ Level 2 training not only suited our requirements but enabled us to develop a consistently high level of service to our customers.

’As most of our team are driving based, Emma highlighted the NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving. The NVQ is specially designed for those currently working in the community transport, Hackney carriage, private hire and chauffeur industries. The course covers a variety of issues, many identified as being important to the drivers, including transporting children, dealing with emergencies, health and safety at work, customer service and safe driving practices.’

Emma Clark said: ‘The requirements for Radio Taxis were specific and targeted but with the complication of time – they simply work 24 hours per day, split into various shifts. The NVQ Level 2 qualification in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving ticked a number of boxes as far as specific skills were concerned but needed a provider who could be flexible with delivery.

We identified a specific provider, PDM Training and Consultancy who had experience of delivering this type of training – both onsite and at times suitable to the various shift patterns operated. Some of the learning was even conducted through information packs provided for the drivers to study whilst waiting for their next passengers!’

The Results

As with most types of training Radio Taxis have seen immediate returns for the business but the team are interested in the longer term benefits to the organisation as well as the individuals.

Steve added: ’We are really grateful to Emma for helping us access Train to Gain advice and funding, most recently through Business Link. Not only has it helped us maintain our competitive edge but retain and grow our business across the Fareham area – we’re now the biggest. As a direct result of the programme we have expanded our operations by increasing vehicles and drivers as well as seeing a clear improvement in customer service and subsequent feedback. As part of the development of the business, we may look at more corporate contract work in the future and this will no doubt open doors for us.

‘Following the success of the initial group, two further sessions have been conducted. As of September 2009, we have trained 76 drivers, with each course taking just over four months to complete. The cost has been wholly funded through Train to Gain, saving us over £91,000 – an amazing figure in itself!

‘I am delighted to say the team have gained confidence, with many undertaking their first courses since leaving school over 30 years ago. Not only are they pleased with the acknowledgement of skills but they have been delighted with the recognition associated with the qualification. Overall morale has risen as a direct result – we’re very proud of our achievements!’