Employability programmes are specific industry driven schemes that include an element of training and work experience, for people to develop essential skills that lead to increased opportunities of employment or apprenticeship in entry level roles.

The programmes includes an element of training and work experience to help people develop their employability skills. Usually lasting between four and siz weeks, the programmes give an insight into working life and provide skills such as interview techniques and application writing.

If you would like to get involved with these employability programmes, contact TalentforCare@merseycare.nhs.uk

Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs)

This programme offers pre-employment training, work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview to all those who complete the programme

The sector based work academy programme is designed to help meet employers’ immediate and future recruitment needs as well as to recruit a workforce with the right skills to sustain and grow their business.

Participants remain on benefits while on a SWAP placement. The government will pay any travel and childcare costs whilst benefit claimants are on the scheme. There is no direct cost to an employer for running a sector-based work academy as training and administration costs are covered by government funding.

You may also want to consider whether an apprenticeship opportunity would be of benefit at this time. As the participant will be part-qualified you may wish to consider employing them on an apprenticeship to build upon their training. Find out more about apprenticeships on YourSpace.

Your business could benefit from offering SWAP placements for the following reasons:

  • this is a flexible programme that can be tailored to meet your recruitment needs
  • you can recruit staff with the right training and skills from the outset, developed through fully-funded pre-employment training
  • an opportunity to provide work experience placements for potential employees to ensure they are suited to that type of role and your company
  • work experience placements allow developmental opportunities for existing employees, for example by working on their mentoring, supervisory and coaching skills
  • reduces the risks within the overall process of recruiting new employees
  • an opportunity for positive publicity to show how like-minded businesses are working together to meet their social responsibilities.

NHS workshops - skills bootcamps

NHS workshops with DWP and Crosby training.

Flexible courses giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and fast -track to an interview with a local employer – can feed into existing pre-employment/recruitment programmes and events.

Participants attend workshops over seven days:

  • Different roles and responsibilities within the NHS (Career pathways)
  • The application process including the DBS and OHS checks (sorts of ID required/references) relevant to role
  • Trust Values
  • GDPR, confidentiality and data handling
  • Equality and diversity
  • Effective skills, qualities and attitudes for work
  • Support with applications and interview preparation.

Princes Trust programmes

The Prince’s Trust Health and Social Care Programme: – NHS England is working in partnership with Princes Trust and the Department for Health and Social Care to support 10,000 young people into sustained careers within the health & social care sector, including those from lower income backgrounds or those affected by long term unemployment.

The programmes are tailored to fulfil the workforce needs of each organisation and give young people (aged 16 to 30) a real understanding of the sector and access to a wide variety of entry level roles and apprenticeships in the NHS and social care.

Get Hired Programme

One off recruitment events, where participants meet a range of employers with live vacancies on the day.

Princes’ Trust mentors support participants to complete applications on the day of the event.

Get Into Programme

This in-depth programme focuses on increasing young people's chances of securing employment within the sector. “Get Into” lasts between four to six weeks and is a combination of class-based learning and hands-on work placements giving young people a real insight into what working in a health and social care environment is like and a clear understanding of the career pathways that are available.

Get started Programme

A two to three day intensive programme combining, employability skills training and multiple organisation interviews, delivered by industry experts linked to live sector job opportunities.

Get Started is a two to three day course, designed for those who feel ready to start working now. The young people will learn about the health and social care sector including the types of roles available, career options and receive job interview preparation support.

Mentoring

Young people are matched to an online professional mentor for up to six months who will support them as they prepare for and start employment.