Skills Support for the Workforce

Skills Support for the Workforce in Heart of the South West (Devon & Somerset)

Funded training to help your business grow

The Skills Support for the Workforce programme (SSW) helps support small & medium businesses in the Heart of the South West LEP area; Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, to upskill their employees with training courses & qualifications to help their business grow and boost the local economy.

We can work with you to develop a bespoke training programme relevant to your business needs, and as the SSW programme is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), a wide range of training can be accessed at no cost* to your business.  *subject to eligibility

We have a network of expert training providers who can deliver 100s of fully funded and accredited training courses covering a range of subjects such as: IT & Digital Skills, Leadership and Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Construction, Health and Social care, Customer Service, Business Administration, and many more.

Get in touch

If you would like to talk to us about the training on offer and how it might be able to support your business and employees you can contact our Partnership Coordinator for the Heart of the South West region (Devon & Somerset), Kirsty Mottram.

Kirsty will have a conversation with you about your business training needs and how the programme can help your business to grow.

What’s on offer?

  • A training needs analysis for your business, identifying the skills your team need to support your business goals
  • On-the-job vocational training to meet individual and business needs including taught learning, workplace assessment, distance learning and online learning
  • Recognised accredited qualifications and training courses to support employees to upskill or even learn new skills
  • Progression pathways for your employees enabling them to take on more responsibilities and move up in your organisation, or progress onto higher level qualifications and apprenticeships

How could you benefit?

  • A more efficient business with improved profitability
  • A highly skilled and engaged workforce with up-to-date skills
  • Improved staff morale and motivation, therefore reducing staff turnover
  • Become an ‘Employer of Choice’ which will improve your business’ image and attract new talent
  • Competitive advantage in your marketplace and improved chances of winning new business

More information

Serco delivers the SSW programme in Devon & Somerset in partnership with Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The LEP have identified the following priority sectors for skills support in the area: 

  • Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (incorporating Marine, Nuclear and Aerospace)
  • Agri-Tech (including Food and Drink:
  • Health and Social Care
  • High Value Tourism
  • Digital Technologies
  • Environmental Futures; and
  • Construction

Other sectors are also eligible to access funded training. Please see below for eligibility criteria.

Eligibility

The following eligibility criteria apply for anyone accessing support through Skills Support for the Workforce:

  • The learner has to be employed by the organisation (or self-employed).
  • The learner has to be eligible to work in the UK – evidence will be required
  • The learner must be aged 16+ (no upper age restriction)
  • The training has to be delivered within the LEP region and by one of the contracted SSW Training Providers

Skills Support for Redundancy 

We also offer support to business owners facing the prospect of making hard decisions about redundancy, and to individuals who have recently been made redundant through the Skills Support for Redundancy programme.

Contact the team for more information.

HR Champions Limited

HR Champions Ltd have been delivering Management Development training since the business was established in 2000. We achieved ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) accredited status in 2002. Since then, developing managers to become outstanding leaders has been our niche.
Management Development training is our specialism; focussing on the key skills that improve productivity through more effective management.
We have courses and workshops for all levels; from growing effective teams to enabling your rising stars to transition to a Supervisor or Team Leader role through to First Line Manager. Our Senior Team and Director level training takes a strategic approach to people management.
Training is largely classroom based and delivery encompasses a range of methods such as individual and syndicate work, games and exercises to match people’s individual learning styles.
Courses are of two, three and four days, usually spread over a period of several weeks to minimise the impacts of having staff out of the business but more importantly to enable delegates to gradually and effectively implement their new skills and knowledge in the workplace.

Aspire Training Team

Founded by Cheryl Hadland, who also founded Tops Day Nurseries, Cheryl has been working in the adult training sector since 1980 and in the childcare sector since 1990.

Cheryl is totally dedicated to enabling and supporting people who work in the ‘caring’ sector. Having developed a great team of experienced, knowledgeable and qualified assessors and tutors to train and lead the qualifications and training on offer to you.

Kelly Russell is now the director for Aspire Training Team and together the team are proud of their achievements; The ‘Investors in People’ recognition as well as the Beacon Award for Training Excellence, Outstanding OFSTED grade, Matrix Standard and top grades from external inspectors from City & Guilds, Cache and Pearson’s. Working closely with each employer as well as individual apprentices to ensure everyone achieves the goals each ‘aspire’ to.

Aspire continue to progress with their own training and development. Many of the staff started years ago as apprentices or unqualified nursery staff themselves, and have experienced first-hand the challenges of working, raising a family and training in order to achieve their goals.

Whether you are seeking an apprenticeship or other staff qualification, the Beacon award-winning Aspire Training Team gain results that are higher than the national average and are in OFSTED’s top 10 in the country.

Approved by City & Guilds, Cache and Pearson’s to offer a range of courses to staff working within the care or business sector. Fully understanding that every person and every company work differently, which is why Aspire tailor courses to meet learner specific requirements.

We deliver training within Early Years up to L5, Health & Social Care up to L5, Leadership and Management up to L3, Business and Administration up to L3 we also deliver short courses within all the sectors just mentioned.

Education + Training Skills (ETS)

Education + Training Skills (ETS), established in 1965 and gaining charitable status in 1984, is a leading, highly successful independent work based learning provider. As a long standing South West training provider we have the knowledge and understanding of how local businesses operate.  We:

  • Work with you to identify knowledge and skills gaps, and provide tailored accredited and non-accredited training solutions; 
  • Deliver Apprenticeships, Vocational Training, Functional Skills (English, Mathematics and ICT) and Continuous Professional Development courses across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset;
  • Provide bespoke training across all business sectors in Coaching and Mentoring, Team Leading, Leadership and Management, Accountancy, Education and Training, Business Administration, Customer Service, Digital, Advice and Guidance;
  • Use highly skilled tutors to facilitate the acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and behaviours and provide opportunities within the workshops for learning to be applied in practice;
  • Help to deliver long term tangible benefits to your staff and your business.

 

> To find out more contact us on 01392 445444 or email help@etsgroup.co.uk

Focus Training SW Ltd

Apprenticeships and commercial training in Retail, Hospitality, Care, Sales, Warehousing, Business Administration, Management, Team Leading and Customer Service. Focus also offers, Traineeships and themed courses for the Unemployed in these sectors.

GHQ Training Ltd

GHQ Training has over 25 years of working alongside businesses in Devon and Cornwall delivering training that enables individuals to stimulate their natural talent and aid their personal development. Established in 1992, we are a private training provider, recognised for delivering high quality training across a wide range of business sectors. GHQ recognises the potential in people and works with them to develop their skills within the workplace. We specialise in work based training, short courses and Apprenticeships that cover a range of vocations including Hairdressing, Childcare, Teaching, Business and Management, Beauty Therapy and Nail Services. Many of our courses are accredited through either: City & Guilds, ILM, NCFE or VTCT.

GHQ has been a direct contract holder for apprenticeships and other adult education with an excellent track record for working closely with employers and individuals to develop skills and raise confidence and knowledge. The company is also Matrix approved and has been consistently assessed by Ofsted as a Good Provider.

Our staff are always happy to provide information, advice and support on all our services, whether it be nationally recognised courses and qualifications or bespoke courses tailored to suit your individual or specific business needs.

Locomotivation Ltd

Locomotivation is an established independent training provider with 18 years’ experience of delivering a variety of training programmes including skills and apprenticeships. Locomotivation have held and successfully managed a direct contract with the government agencies since 1999. We currently deliver Apprenticeship training to between 800 and 1000 apprentices per year. Locomotivation hold a skills training contract funded through European Social Fund and work in partnership with other providers to deliver the local priorities identified by the LEP.

We deliver all our training direct to the employer in the workplace through 1-2-1 meetings and group workshops. Areas of delivery include Sport and Leisure, Gym, Aviation, Hospitality, Health and Social Care, Retail and Sales, Business Administration, Contact Centre, Customer Service and Leadership and Management programmes through ILM.

Locomotivation holds the Matrix standard for Information Advice and Guidance (IAG). Locomotivation has been rated as good by Ofsted for the past 9 years. Locomotivation works with a number of Awarding Organisations and are a low risk Centre, holding direct claim status for all qualifications offered.

Locomotivation are part the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network as well as attending meetings with the local LEP and Employment Skills Board.

South Devon College

At South Devon College, we provide training for businesses and sole traders throughout the South West, and our tutors deliver high-quality training across a variety of areas. These include a wide range of vocational delivery covered by classroom and/or remote methods in; automotive and marine, fitness instructing, management and leadership, accounting, human resources and much more.

We offer:

  • Flexible start dates to suit your business
  • Bespoke training to match your needs
  • Highly qualified instructors and tutors
  • Quality-assured advice and guidance

South Devon College sits at the heart of its employer and local community and has received external recognition in the form of exceptional employer feedback and through accreditations such as; Investors In People Platinum and TEF Gold.

The Construction Skills People (CSP) Ltd

Construction skills People is the largest provider to the UK’s construction sector, established in 2008, we deliver a wide range of vocational qualifications and commercial training courses specifically for the construction sector. Our in-depth industry knowledge allows us to advise our clients through the complex minefield of Health & Safety legislation and regulation. We are the UK's leading provider of construction-related work-based qualifications and offer a broad range of NVQs that help our clients ensure they are CSCS and CPCS compliant.

We enjoy working with over 75% of the UK’s top 100 construction companies as listed by the industry’s Construction News magazine. We look to foster robust relationships with our clients, built on our concept of putting our clients’ needs first. As you would expect from an industry-leading training provider, we practice what we preach, and our staff's Continual Professional Development is an ongoing process that ensures our staff have the knowledge and expertise to offer industry the correct advice.

Vocational delivery rangeAll qualifications in construction including Civil Engineer, Construction Plant, House Building, Off-Site Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Utilities, Environmental and major projects. All of CSP’s qualifications are delivered on site to reduces disruption and employee downtime.

Accreditations - Matrix accredited, Disability Confident, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 18001

Petroc College

Petroc is committed to raising the aspirations, knowledge and skills of individuals, communities and businesses in Devon and beyond. Through SSW, we can offer your business:

  • An assessment of your staff training needs;
  • Bespoke training to meet those needs;
  • Recognised accredited qualifications and a supportive learning environment for your staff;
  • The opportunity to increase the competitiveness of your business and boost the local economy.

Petroc has a wide range of industry specific training courses that will ensure you stay ahead of the game. Courses can be delivered in-house or at one of our North or Mid Devon campuses.

Logistica Training

Logistica Training Limited was set up to specialise in delivering Health and Social qualifications to SMEs. The directors, managers, and all staff have considerable expertise in this field and saw an opportunity to deliver high quality training in a niche market where, at the time, there were considerable gaps in the market place.​

Logistica deliver high quality training in a manner that adds value to the employer, enthuses and motivates the learner and our staff feel valued and respected. ​

We believe that with our continued repeat business from employers, high achievement rates, excellent employer and learner feedback and low staff turnover, we have gone a long way towards achieving our goals. 

CMN

CMN have joined the SSW project and are able to deliver fully funded training to employers in the Marine, Manufacturing, Nuclear and Construction sectors across a number of different disciplines required by business including; vocational skills, management and HR, customer service, ICT and marketing.

We provide recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance your employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of your business and boost the local economy.

We can work with you to develop a bespoke training programme relevant to your needs, and because this programme is co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) a wide range of training can be accessed at no cost to your business.

Skills Support for the Workforce is all about progress. We can help you progress your career, education and business.

Digital Peninsula Network

Digital Peninsula Network (DPN) was set up in 2001 to support and grow the ICT and digital skills in the South West and support the South West’s wider business community with their use of ICT and digital skills.

DPN offers a range of services including funded training provision, networking events and digital marketing apprenticeships for soletraders, small businesses and individuals.

DPN provides a free Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) service for businesses and individuals interested in skills development. We can work with you to carry out a detailed Training Needs Analysis either for yourself or your whole company, matching you with funded training providers.

Focusing on growing your business through digital means, DPN has a variety of training courses to support the learning and success of your business.

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