Work Skills - Print version

How can the Work Skills Team help?

Are you seeking training to gain employment?

Would you like to enhance your current skill set and / or qualifications to increase your opportunities of promotion or a career change?

Are you an employer that would like to enhance the skill set of individuals or a team?

Are you an employer that is struggling with recruitment or is considering talking on an apprentice?

The above isn’t exhaustive, however if ‘work’ is an integral part of your next steps, we have a variety of differing options available to you that you may wish to explore.

Apprenticeships

Would you like the opportunity to work for an employer, earn an apprenticeship salary and gain valuable workplace skills and experience in your chosen area of work?

Age is not a barrier, as long as you are aged over 16 years of age, this is a great way to start or progress your career.

Adult Education currently offer a range of apprenticeship training from Level 2 to Level 5 in a range of areas including:

• Customer Service
• Business Administration
• School Business Professional
• Early Years, Learning and Skills
• Team Leading
• Leadership and Management
• Teaching Assistant

(Many of these apprenticeships are with Coventry City Council. Find out what apprenticeship vacancies Coventry City Council currently have [https://careers.coventry.gov.uk/jobs/category/108]. Applications are made online.

Whilst undertaking an apprenticeship, you will also be required to develop your existing skills in maths and English if you do not already have those qualifications at the appropriate level.

Apprenticeships can be for people of any age and must last at least 12 months.

‘Everyone has been amazing, Adult Education, all of the other apprentices, the tutors, and the Apprenticeship Officers that have provided me with the best possible support’

Mason Little, previous Level 3 Customer Service Specialist Apprentice.

If you wish to discuss apprenticeship training in more detail, please get in touch by emailing aesapprentice@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesapprentice@coventry.gov.uk]

Into Employment Programme

Are you looking for work? Are you over the age of 19? Unemployed and in receipt of benefit? Working and on a low wage?

Here is an ideal opportunity!

We have a range of short courses that will help support you in your chosen career, whilst also providing application and interview support and a guaranteed job interview with a local employer within this area.

The courses we offer are:

• Working in the Care Industry
• Working as a Cleaner
• Working in Customer Service
• Working as an Early Years Practitioner
• Working in the Hotel Industry
• Working in Retail
• Working in a School
• Working in Security
• Working in a Warehouse

Interested? Contact Coventry Adult Education Services on aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk].

Recruitment and training needs for employers

Adult Education are an integral part of Coventry City Council, supporting the recruitment and training needs of local employers, enabling business to develop and thrive.

We work closely with companies to develop bespoke training that prepares and upskills employees for specific roles in their organisation.

We can help with recruitment for business expansion through our ‘Into Employment’ programme and / or support the development of current staff.

Into Employment Programme

The ‘Into Employment’ programme is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) therefore no costs to you as a company.

This offering is a proven way of developing potential employees to the standard you require. We ensure potential new employees have a greater awareness of both the sector and the roles that you are seeking to fill.

Employees recruited through our Into Employment Programmes are ready to work more effectively and more likely to enjoy their work.

This approach will have a huge impact on your staff retention rates, helping you to establish and maintain a successful team that is better informed and focused.

We work closely with the Job Centre (DWP) and Coventry City Council's Job Shop to promote Into Employment Programme opportunities and your vacancies, we also use a variety of social media platforms to reach potential employees.

Awareness and screening

We host an awareness session to give a detailed overview of the Into Employment Programme course and the job roles to the interested individuals.

We encourage you (the employer) to attend this session, to talk about the benefits of working for the company and answer any questions the candidates may have.

Should a specific level of English, maths or ICT be required, initial assessments are carried out.

Bespoke training with work experience

Accredited qualifications can be embedded in the Into Employment Programme course if preferred and tailored to ensure specifics relating to your company are included.

Work experience, or a visit to the premises is encouraged (not mandatory), giving the individuals 'hands on' exposure to the environment and role. This allows you the opportunity to see the individual at work. If this is not an option, due to the nature of the role, alternative methods can be explored.

Job interview

For Into Employment Programme participants, the incentive of a job interview is a key motivator.

As the employer we ask that you interview all candidates at the end of the training, enabling the recruitment process to begin for successful applicants.

We fully appreciate that not everyone will be successful, however we ask that you do give us some feedback so that we are able to fully support the individual with their next step and continue to work with them on any areas that they need to refine.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear it from the Headteacher at Baginton Fields Academy,

‘Prior to the course starting, the team at Coventry Adult Education were keen to involve headteachers in what the content of the course should include.  This was great as it meant the course could be focused on the specific needs of our settings’.

If you would like more information on our courses and training support do contact us on 07790 987739 or email aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk] and a member of our team will be happy to support.

Upskilling current employees

Adult Education can support your staff in a variety of ways by offering short or long courses that are accredited and certificated, or purely industry relevant.

In some circumstances funding can be sought to cover the cost of the course and this will always be explored.

We can work with individuals, small or large groups and align the training to work with yourselves to ensure that the needs of the business are still met.

Training can be face to face at one of our centres or alternatively we can come to you and deliver onsite should this be suitable. Alternatively, where relevant online training can also be offered.

Due to the immense range of tutor skills within Adult Education the range of training available is huge, therefore should you wish to know more do contact us on 07790 987739 or email aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk] and a member of our team will be happy to support you.

Employer wanting to employ an Apprentice?

If you are an employer who is considering employing an apprentice and would like them to follow one of the below apprenticeship routes, we are able to assist:

• Customer Service
• Business Administration
• School Business Professional
• Early Years
• Teaching Assistant.
• Learning and Skills
• Team Leading
• Leadership and Management

Information on the processes to be followed and the government financial support available [https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers].

If this is something you would like to pursue or discuss further, please do contact us via email on aesapprentice@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesapprentice@coventry.gov.uk].

Stairway to Work

Are you over the age of 19? Are you in receipt of Universal Credit? Are you linked with a Disability Engagement Officer at the DWP?

We have a short course that will help put you on the right track to being work ready. Our short course will give you the opportunity to enhance your pre-employment skills whilst also building on key areas such as self-esteem, self-confidence and helping you focus on your next steps.

During the course you will have exposure to different employers with work placement opportunities, giving you hands-on real-life work exposure, with regular contact and support from your assigned DWP Work Coach. This could be the stepping stone you need to feel work ready and take that key step into employment.

For more information, please get in touch by emailing aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk].

Next Steps in the Workplace

Are you interested in moving into a team leader or management position at work, do you need to develop your skills?

Are you a supportive employer that is passionate about staff development and would you like the opportunity to upskill staff into management positions?

The programme considers the needs of the business as well as meeting the needs of the individual. Delivery can be at our training centre, online, blended or at your site to enable employees the chance to access whilst still managing their day-to-day responsibilities.

The modules are carefully selected to ensure that they met the needs of the business and embrace key areas that you as an employer want aspiring managers / leaders to have the knowledge and skills around. 

Continued success, and an advocate for our programmes is DHL ‘Coventry Adult Education have gone above and beyond to create a nurturing, supportive offer that always has the individual at the centre’

Contact us on aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk] to discuss the differing routes available.

Early Years, Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools and Health & Social Care

Are you ready to make a difference?

Whether you're just starting out, looking to boost your skills, or an employer wanting to upskill your team, our courses are tailored to help you succeed. You will gain practical experience, learn from industry experts, and enhance your career or your staff’s capabilities.  Don’t wait, unlock new opportunities in these rewarding fields by joining one of our courses! We offer a both short, intensive courses to gain a qualification or longer courses that fit more easily around your current work commitments and busy life.

Early Years

• Entry 3 Caring for Children.
• Level 1 Award in Caring for Children.
• Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner.
• Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator.

Supported Teaching & Learning in Schools

• Level 1 Preparing to Work In Schools.
• Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
• Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools.
• Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools.

Health & Social Care

• Level 1 Award or Certificate in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings.
• Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate. Eligible employers can claim funding for the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate on behalf of eligible care staff for up to £1500 per qualification.
• Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care.

In addition, are you between levels / courses and continue to have the enthusiasm and motivation to learn? You may be interested in one of our short courses to enhance your vocational knowledge further or you may be an employer wanting to offer additional CPD to the staff?

If you cannot find what you are looking for contact us on aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:aesworkskills@coventry.gov.uk], we are happy to discuss wider opportunities.