SkillsZone
Training opportunities for people in the Borough
SkillsZone is a partnership of organisations, including housing associations, Jobcentre Plus, colleges and voluntary organisations which can work together to support unemployed residents with training, work placements and employment. It also promotes initiatives to improve your work prospects and upskill.
Therefore EBC does not provide all of the incentives but can advise and sign post you to the relevant organization.
SkillsZone is a dedicated area to help people in the Borough to find available training opportunities and courses.
Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest training prospects from SkillsZone.
Apprenticeships
Employers can benefit from having an apprentice, here are some of the incentives:
- £2,000 per apprentice (under the age of 25)
- £1,000 age incentive still applies for 16-18-year-olds
- £1,500 per apprentice aged 25 or over
- Payment schedule 50% at month 3 and 50% after 12 months
- Must be a new apprentice for all incentives – not current staff – employer to sign a declaration stating this
- Runs from 1 August through 31 January 2021
Find out how to apply here.
Transfer to Transform
Solent Apprenticeship Hub
- For SMEs (under 50 employees)
- Can apply for funding to cover 'employer contribution' and wider apprenticeship funding
- Levy payers can donate funding for other organisations to utilise
You can find courses here.
Traineeship Incentive
Employers will be offered the following for taking on a trainee:
- £1, 00 to take on a trainee
- Quality work placements for 16 to 24-year olds
- Expansion of this to include levels up to Level 3
Traineeship programme
A traineeship programme is a pre-apprenticeship programme and requires the following:
- A minimum of 70 hours (unpaid although the employer can cover expenses)
- Work experience (no more than 240 hours if a benefit claimant)
- Work preparation training – decided with employer and trainee
- Sector-focused technical or professional qualification to help prepare for occupational standards within apprenticeships
- Bursary funds for 16-19 and 19+ learner
Kickstart Scheme
The Kickstart Scheme is aimed at 16-24-year olds claiming Universal Credit and considered to be at risk of long-term unemployment by their DWP adviser and includes the following:
- 100% of wage for a minimum of 25 hours per week at minimum wage paid by government (employer can increase hourly rate but only the minimum wage will be covered)
- Must be a new job, and the employer will have to demonstrate this is a new post – not filling an existing role at the government’s expense
- Employers must provide training and support to help Kickstarters find a permanent job
- Cost to cover overheads will also be covered (details still to follow)
- Grant for a 24-year old will be approximately £6,500
PONToon Courses
Find out what courses are available through the PONToon Project.
Workshops from National Careers Service
Free workshops are available through November and December with the National Careers Service.
Offers from Eastleigh College
Free online Level 2 Courses: Level 2 courses are available free of charge to the vast majority of adults. They were extremely popular during the previous lockdown as people sought to gain additional knowledge and qualifications and a record number of applications are still being received.
The most popular are mental health awareness courses and exercise, health and nutrition awareness courses, while others included Customer Service and Organisational Management.
University access courses: Learners who might not have the formal qualifications needed to study at university have the option of six tailored access courses providing a stepping stone to study at degree level to enter a new career in an array of industry areas including teaching, nursing, dietetics, medicine, social work and more.
Professional higher education courses: Eastleigh College also provides full and part time Level 4 and Level 5 foundation courses and apprenticeships in a broad range of sectors including: accountancy, counselling, creative media and video games development, computing, construction and built environment, education, engineering, healthcare and human resources.
Keep Updated
To keep up to date with the latest news and courses from Skills Zone you can sign up to receive our weekly newsletter.
Contact
For more information contact Sue Edgerley
Upcoming Events:
Abri Work Academy
The week commencing the 9 August, there will be an Abri Work Academy (AWA) that aims to help young people 16-24 years (but will be open to older applicants) start their careers in Infrastructure and Construction.
Balfour Beatty will be taking on numerous apprentices and participants of the AWA and will be offered guaranteed interviews.
The apprenticeships will be in:
- Civil and Mechanical Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
- Highways Maintenance
- Health, Safety, Environmental and Sustainability
- Procurement
- Business Support and Administration
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire service free course
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire service are running a FREE one week 'Get Started in Public Service’s' course from Eastleigh fire station.
The 1-week hands on course will help young people who are aged 16-25 who are not in employment, education or training and living in the Eastleigh/Southampton area gain a insight into the public service’s plus much more:
- Develop key skills
- Meet new people
- Get motivated
***On top of all this the young people will also gain a recognised first aid qualification ***
Taster day 17th August 2021
Start date 23rd August 2021
To find out more email Natalie.Latham@hantsfire.gov.uk