Coventry College now has a dedicated space where jobseekers can learn new skills for the workplace and get back on track with their career.

The Next Steps Employability Hub, located on the third floor of the City Campus South Building, has been part-funded by Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Coventry Economic Development Service (EDS).

Employers and the unemployed are benefiting enormously from the state-of-the-art facility which is being used to deliver employability skills programmes and is a base for employers to conduct interviews with potential new recruits.

The College has re-branded and developed the hub as part of its response to the Government’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ initiative which was launched in 2020.

It is offering a range of employability skills programmes which target jobseekers in Coventry and beyond and include referrals from Coventry JobCentre Plus.

Programmes being delivered are short, Sector Gateway programmes which support the unemployed with key skills updates in preparation for employment and the Kickstart scheme which offers six month work placement opportunities for young people in different settings.

Sector Based Work Academy programmes (SWAPs) are also helping people gain experience and skills in different sectors including Care, Customer Service and Business.

In addition, the College is supporting employers with traineeship programmes, which target 16-18-year-olds and help businesses grow and develop their workforce.

Traineeships give businesses the opportunity to work with and develop potential new recruits before taking them on as full-time apprentices.

Emma Ingram, Head of Employer Engagement and Sales at Coventry College, believes the hub is an excellent addition to the College.

Emma said: “The development of the Employability Hub is a real coup for the College and is helping us to deliver a range of successful employability skills programmes.

“Some people may have been out of work for up to a year, so their confidence is low and needs a boost.

“This facility is a place in college where they can feel comfortable learning new skills, working with employers and gaining valuable interview experience.

“We’ve seen a significant uptake over the last year in the amount of people signing up for these skills programmes and it’s pleasing to see they are working and helping jobseekers to get back into work.”

Vicky Self, Group Head of Workforce at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, said: “Accessing the Next Steps Employability hub at Coventry College was a key enabler to delivering our Kickstart programme at UHCW and growing our supply of local talent into careers with the NHS.

“Working in partnership with Coventry College, we were able to build a successful sector based work academy programme in an effective learning environment, which built the young people’s confidence and employability skills to be work ready for roles at UHCW.

“We look forward to continuing to use this facility to build our supply of young talent and interest access to those working in the NHS.”

Craig Guest, Business Development Team Manager at Coventry JobCentre Plus, added: “Coventry College’s support with pre-employment training, work experience and guaranteed interviews means applicants gain a better insight and access into a varied range of careers.

“Working in partnership, DWP and Coventry College have formed a unique and successful relationship to support the Government’s Kickstart Scheme.

“One of our success stories has been working closely with the NHS, which has resulted in 100% job outcomes and 18 candidates being offered employment with one of the largest organisations in the UK.”

To find out how Coventry College can support you with all your recruitment needs or employability skills programmes, please contact Emma Ingram – [email protected]