SFA Courses

Skills Funding Agency Courses

SKILLS SUPPORT FOR THE UNEMPLOYED (SSU)

Steps to Work act as a subcontractor for Skills Training UK to deliver the SSU programme in Walsall.

The aim of this programme is to provide bespoke support and training for the unemployed and those economically inactive and seeking a return to the labour market but facing skills related barriers to entering the labour market. The programme offers a range of bespoke interventions and meaningful support and opportunities for unemployed individuals to enter work, education or apprenticeships.

This programme, which is funded by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency, started in December 2017 and will complete on 31st March 2019.

IAG NEET

Steps to Work act as a subcontractor for Skills Training UK to deliver the IAG NEET programme in Walsall.

The programme provides a focused careers guidance service to unemployed young people to enable them to identify opportunities to move into employment, unpaid work, an apprenticeship or education. The service is delivered by highly experienced and IAG qualified staff members (up to IAG level 4)

This programme, which is funded by the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency, started in December 2017 and completed on 31st March 2018.

STAFFORDSHIRE ADULT AND COMMUNITY LEARNING SERVICE (ACL)

In August 2016 we became a delivery partner of Staffordshire County Council.

The Staffordshire ACL offers a broad range of learning opportunities to encourage adult to return to learning and to progress to further learning, volunteering or employment.

We deliver in the Cannock district the following: • First Steps to Employability courses that target adults who have not recently engaged in learning and/or are unemployed who want to improve their chances of finding work • Functional skills courses for adults who lack essential skills in English, Maths or IT and do not want or are not ready yet to enrol on an accredited course.

[ CASE STUDY ]

MAVIS, (ACL)

Mavis is long term unemployed and has struggled with basic English and Maths skills and learning how to use the computer.

She was encouraged by her advisor to attend our Adult Learning courses in Staffordshire to gain confidence and motivation and develop skills to help her in everyday life.

Mavis started off by attending the 8 week Everyday Maths course. She felt that leaving school a long time ago with no qualifications affected her self-esteem and thought the course would help her confidence. Mavis learned how to relate maths in a positive way to her daily life.

Mavis was very fearful of using a computer but within five weeks of attending the basic IT course she has already gained in confidence. She now uses the computers in a more productive way to search and apply for jobs.

The last course that Mavis has completed was a basic English course. It was a great challenge as she was nervous about approaching the subject again having not achieved any English qualifications at school. Mavis was anxious when asked to look up words in a dictionary as she had not learned the skill to do this previously.

Now that she has completed all three basic skills courses Mavis feels more confident in everyday life and is more capable of searching and applying for jobs independently. She is more confident in her writing skills and feels like she has made a positive improvement in her life.

“I feel really positive, the course has been a challenge but I’ve learned lots of new skills and feel more confident”