5 minute read
Sheffield City Region
SKILLS FOCUS SPONSORED BY THE SOURCE SKILLS ACADEMY
The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.
Advertisement
BARNSLEY FIRM GETS ITS ENTIRE TEAM LEARNING IN LOCKDOWN
A Barnsley leader in the UK’s measurement and mapping industry weighed up its options when COVID-19 lockdown struck - and got its entire team learning new skills online.
Surveying company 1st Horizon organised training for 26 furloughed employees, plus home-working staff and stakeholders, with leading Sheffield provider The Source Skills Academy.
The Source rapidly went online after lockdown of its premises on Meadowhall Way so its team could enable SCR companies to use shutdown time to boost workers’ skills.
Training can be entirely funded via the SCR Skills Bank or Skills Support for the Workforce.
“Accessing free training for staff during lockdown made perfect sense,” said 1st Horizon’s HR manager Sophia Massarella.
“CPD has always been really important to us. Many of our staff are young, in their first job and are very committed to learning. It’s our responsibility to keep them engaged at this difficult time. Everyone is enjoying the mental stimulation.”
MEMBERS OF THE 1ST HORIZON TEAM AT A SEMINAR PRE-LOCKDOWN
Based at The Old Pop Factory in Dodworth, the company was founded in 2006 by land surveyor Jim Garside.
Today it specialises in 3D laser scanning, utility location, mobile mapping and CCTV and UAV surveys.
The company was in a period of growth when COVID-19 hit the UK and had to halt a recruitment drive. “When lockdown restrictions are lifted we will resume recruitment - and we will also have more rounded, better-trained staff,” said Sophia, who with three colleagues has signed up to study Business Improvement Techniques.
Others are studying Team Leadership, Data Protection and Awareness of Mental Health Problems.
Dale Robinson, Business Development Director at The Source commented: “Training during lockdown re-enforces people’s self-worth and maintains focus. 1st Horizon seized the opportunity. We urge others to follow their lead.”
Learners can study two qualifications from a choice of 70. Training materials are accessible daily and online tutors are available 12 hours a day. Contact training@ thesourceacademy.co.uk
BUSINESS TRAINING AT THE SOURCE IS NOW ONLINE...
To support companies affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, innovative national training provider The Source has redesigned its accredited training courses so they can be fully accessed online. Full funding has been secured to cover the costs for SMEs in the Sheffield City Region. Contact vernon.tolson@thesourceacademy.co.uk
STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE...
Apprentices at the ready
The Source is ready to support businesses with apprentices as soon as lockdown restrictions relax. We have grown our pool of ‘job-ready’ applicants during lockdown and expect many school-leavers will also be seeking apprenticeships. Contact kerry.cook@ thesourceacademy.co.uk
Website Update
The Source Academy is currently undergoing a website refresh to streamline the user experience, so everything you need to know about apprenticeships (and more!) is at your fingertips. Changes coming soon include dedicated employer and learner zones for easy access to all of the services available to you, all in one place. Find us at www. thesourceacademy.co.uk and check back regularly for updates.
Infection Control
When the UK goes back to work, there needs to be a new ‘normal’ to protect staff. Prepare furloughed or home-working employees now with The Source’s fully-funded, accredited online course on Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare Settings. Conditions in which bacteria thrive and prevention methods are covered. Contact vernon.tolson@ thesourceacademy.co.uk
STICK TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER, SUPPORT EACH OTHER From the Growth Hub and Skills Bank to establishing the COVID-19 Economy Response Group – James Muir, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, tells unLTD about the steps being taken during the pandemic to ‘build a prosperous future for workers and businesses when the worst is over’
We find ourselves in the midst of the greatest public health crisis any of us have faced.
Our health service, our businesses and our economy are facing a real battle to survive and come through these most challenging of times.
Now, more than ever, we need to stick together, work together, and support each other in order to ensure that when things get back to whatever the new “normal” may bring, we are stronger for it.
We at the Sheffield City Region (SCR) have stepped up our efforts to help businesses across South Yorkshire, so large companies, SMEs and the self-employed can all access support during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Growth Hub, which provides bespoke business support and advice, has been receiving increasing numbers
challenge for our economy. Our Skills Bank programme has also launched two new strands of its programme to help businesses and training providers affected by the Coronavirus.
Firstly, a suite of online training programmes has been developed for businesses who want to access training quickly to support them through the challenges that COVID-19 is presenting, without the need for lengthy of enquiries as people look for guidance on business support schemes the Government has announced.
We have set up a dedicated webpage which outlines all of the schemes announced, who is eligible for each, what the scheme is worth, how to apply, and who the scheme is operated by.
We have also written directly to more than 7,500 of the region’s businesses offering guidance during what is a mammoth application process. Skills Bank has also opened a rapid response offer which is dedicated to securing training and support for businesses directly helping with the government’s Coronavirus strategy, such as producing protective personal equipment (PPE) or sanitisers.
Mayor Dan Jarvis, LEP Board members and I are working to protect jobs and businesses across South Yorkshire.
We’ve established the COVID-19 Economy Response Group, working with the region’s anchor institutions, to coordinate our economic response together, as well as working closely with partner organisations, the Local Resilience Forum, regional leaders and central Government.
There will be difficult days ahead, but we are determined to build a prosperous future for our
workers and businesses when the worst is over.
The Coronavirus has brought about extraordinary upheaval and challenges for all businesses – from international manufacturers, to small limited companies, and the self-employed.
I would urge any business, no matter how big or how small, to visit our website, get in touch, and make sure they get the support they need through our Growth Hub or Skills Bank.
We are determined to get through the pandemic as strong as possible. We will get through this together. In the meantime, we are here to help.
For more information and to find out more about the schemes and support available visit scrgrowthhub.co.uk
