ESF Employees Support in Skills in the Cheshire & Warrington LEP Area

SPECIFICATION OF DELIVERY Skills Support for the Workforce, intermediate and higher level skills provision.

The aim of the Services is to provide individuals with the opportunities to develop the skills that will enable them to progress in employment.

The Services will provide support to employers to take on and develop individuals to fill intermediate, technical and higher level skills gaps and shortages.

The delivery of the Services should focus on increasing the number of people with technical and job specific skills, for units at level 3 and above to support business growth particularly in, but not limited to, LEP growth and key employment sectors, which support the Cheshire and Warrington Strategic Economic Plan and priority initiatives.

The Services must deliver a responsive skills programme that is tailored to the needs of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP area in order to stimulate a growth in the skills base for businesses that will give the best opportunity to grow the economy and create more and better jobs.

The Services must deliver highly responsive skills provision to meet business and industry needs.

Employers must be engaged to shape and direct the Services.

The provision should address the following: • Individuals must be a minimum age of 20, with priority for those aged 20 – 24.

Individuals must be employed. • Support individuals to progress onto higher level skills and apprenticeships. • Drive up skills levels, focusing on the skills being sought by employers and supporting the Cheshire and Warrington LEP’s priority sectors. • Increase the number of businesses (of SME size) who are actively planning to address skills issues as a part of their growth. • Encourage employers and/or employees to participate in an apprenticeship. • Assessment of the current skills profile of the individual and how it relates to the sector in which they are employed and the employer’s needs and to develop the appropriate training option or provide access to it. • Provision of advice and guidance, personal development planning, skills development and learning and mentoring on an individual basis. • Offer of both accredited and non-accredited skills training, bespoke packages may be delivered. • The skills provision must reflect the needs of the business and should be tailored to fit working practices and demands.

It must be delivered on business premises and other appropriate venues. • Accredited units of learning at Level 3 and above in subject areas may also be funded where these do not lead to a full qualification. • Conduct exit interviews with employers to assess the impact of the activity.