Businesses committed to a fairer Coventry - Skills and training - Print version

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Skills and training - benefits for your business

Upskilling your workforce helps your business:

References

  1. Mckinsey and Company [https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-economic-case-for-reskilling-in-the-uk-how-employers-can-thrive-by-boosting-workers-skills]
  2. LinkedIn's 2018 Workplace Learning Report

Did you know?

Coventry has a diverse and highly skilled talent pool. Invest Coventry [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coventry-127] has further information on our skills and talent innovative collaborations between industry and colleges, higher education institutions and local training providers.

Information on skills and training

Places of support for your business

Youth Works Recruitment Grant Funding

Youth Works - Developing fresh, new talent in the city

The Job Shop’s Employer Engagement Team provides free recruitment and HR support to businesses in Coventry and surrounding areas. Youth Works gives employers the opportunity to build the skills of a young person within the business and invest in future workforce. Coventry City Council have introduced a recruitment grant funding opportunity for local businesses to access (subject to eligibility). £3000 grants are available to employers who recruit candidates registered with the Job Shop and delivered in 6-monthly instalments of £500, with the final payment subject to an ongoing employment offer. This funding can be used in any way that will support the employee. For example, subsidising wages or paying towards training and qualifications. 

Eligibility criteria: 

  • opportunity must be a minimum of 20 hours per week 
  • starting wage must be at least £13 per hour 
  • candidate is paid through PAYE as part of the organisation's payroll 
  • company must be based within Coventry and Warwickshire 
  • company must complete the Youth Works application form and pass due diligence checks 
  • the successful candidate is sourced through the Coventry Job Shop  
  • applicants will be aged 16 to 29, living within CV1 - CV6 and not in employment, training or education 

For more information or to register your interest in Youth Works Recruitment Grant Funding, please visit our webpage [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/employment-support/employer-engagement/2] or email JobshopEET@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:JobshopEET@coventry.gov.uk ].

To make an enquiry please complete and submit the form below.

Youth Works Recruitment Grant Funding form [https://myaccount.coventry.gov.uk/service/Youth_Works_Recruitment_Grant_Funding_Form]

Business Case Studies

The Job Shop can offer 1-to-1 support for employers and customers to support them in their recruitment process and help them to hire a diverse workforce full of different skill sets to benefit their business.

Case Study 1 - CV Life

In 2021, The Job Shop engaged in a support programme where 6 individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions were given a 6-week work programme, where they conducted work placement in a variety of different premises across CV Life.

With the support of Disability Employment Advisers and coaches, CV life employers were provided with disability confidence training and on-the-job training for our customers.

The joint support from the specialist team and a supportive working environment allowed these customers to flourish and, 5 out of 6 people were offered paid positions. Since then, 3 out 6 are still employed within the company and are receiving a great deal of support.

Supporting CV Life has continued to promote a diverse workforce within the company, and they have continued to actively support the Job Shop customers, hiring multiple individuals with a wide range of skill sets from diverse backgrounds.

If your business would like to make a difference, contact JobshopEET@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:JobshopEET@coventry.gov.uk].

Our customer experiences

Josh came into the Job Shop looking for support gaining employment and developing his skills. He was struggling with his job searching and didn't know where to turn. Josh met with Beth and began working 1-to-1 getting help with job searching, CV and application forms. With the help of the Employment Team, Josh gained an interview with Home Bargains through a recruitment event. He gained interview preparation with Beth and was successful in gaining a position starting 16 hours a week.

Josh said,

With the support and guidance of Beth and the team at the Job Shop, I was able to find work that was best suited for me.

Russell engaged with the Job Shop in person after being made redundant in 2019 when his company, Office Outlet went into administration. He had worked for this company for over 15 years as a sales and retail assistant and thought he would be there for life so was devastated when the company collapsed.

The customer upon registering with the Job Shop was referred to a disability employment specialist as Russell has a physical disability called spondylosis which is a type of arthritis brought on by wear and tear to the spine. Russell's confidence was knocked because of this and we identified that he would need assistance with confidence building, interview support and preparation.

During Russell's journey he had many interviews but was unsuccessful at first so we continued to learn from each one. Russell worked with our Employer Engagement Team within the wider Job Shop team to see if they could assist him by discussing his CV and skills with local employers looking for staff, which was very successful.

Russell said,

It feels great to be back into the workforce and furthering my skills. It has brought structure back to my days. I am thankful to the Job Shop for their hard work in finding suitable employment as well as help and advice.

Case Study 2 – Chesford Grange Hotel

Chesford Grange Hotel, a local employer supported one of the City Colleges Travel and Tourism students by offering a work experience opportunity at the hotel.

I am currently the acting Front of House Manager, and this is the first time I have dealt with Coventry College Placements and found the overall experience a pleasure.

The communication was strong, the plan of action and the correspondence from both the college and the student were spot on, which makes my job a lot easier - and how I personally like to run things. ..I could tell the student will be a credit to any employer.

Gavin Cairns, Front of House Manager, Chesford Grange Hotel; August 2024

For more information and help for employers on how a work experience placement can help your business spot new talent contact the College Employer team. [https://www.coventrycollege.ac.uk/employers/]

Two teachers using whiteboard

Case Study 3 - Coventry Rocks

Coventry Rocks, a local employer supported one of the City Colleges students by offering a work experience opportunity.

‘Please pass on to Luke's tutors how great his work experience has been. After an initial briefing meeting over Teams and a shared spreadsheet, Luke really just got in with it! He visited various parks in Coventry, and took some great quality photos, retouched them where required, and compressed them for uploading to the Coventry Rocks website. Luke then proceeded to create pages on the Coventry Rocks website using our Content Management System. He uploaded his own photos and completed a lot of other information about the parks.’

Examples of webpages Luke completed himself from scratch:

I am very glad that Luke found me and was so proactive in finding some work experience to fill his summer. He’s clearly a very hard working, ambitious young man and I wish him every success in the future.

Jess MclIsh, Owner Coventry Rocks

For more information and help for employers on how a work experience placement can help your business spot new talent contact the College Employer team. [https://www.coventrycollege.ac.uk/employers/]

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