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Untapped Talent: the employer benefits

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Untapped Talent: The Employer Benefits

Does your business require a high work ethic, low absenteeism and excellent attention to detail?

Despite many being keen to find work, more than 85% of people with learning disabilities (LD) or autism are unemployed. Many do not consider themselves disabled, some have mild disability issues, and the majority have untapped talents or skills that are desirable for employers.

Businesses that employ someone with LD can benefit from skills that include:

  • Reliability, conscientiousness and persistence
  • High levels of concentration
  • Accuracy, close attention to detail
  • Detailed factual knowledge and an excellent memory
  • Meticulous application of routine tasks

Traditional recruitment methods can often exclude those with learning disabilities, because individuals find it harder to communicate and understand. The Untapped Talent initiative is designed to help employers access this skilled and reliable workforce. This event will offer business tips on inclusive recruitment and answer concerns regarding employment law.

Fact: 7% of people with learning disabilities have a job. 65% want one.*

Untapped Talent: The Employer Benefits Business Breakfast 

Join us at this business breakfast for HR experts and business owners.

  • Tuesday 5 July 2016
  • Hannahs, Seale-Hayne, Newton Abbot, TQ12 6NQ07.30 – 10.30am
  • Free full sit down breakfast
  • This event is kindly being hosted by the Exeter & Heart of Devon Employment & Skills Board

PLEASE join us. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/untapped-talent-the-employer-benefits-tickets-25344309512

Untapped Talent: The Employer Benefits Booklet

Please click this link to find out more about:

  • The Business Benefits
  • Why employing someone with LD or Autism is good for business
  • ‘Work Choice’ and ‘Access to Work’ grants and funding
  • What is a Learning Disability?
  • Emplyment support available to business
  • Free support for employers
  • 3 steps to hiring someone with a disability
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Different ways to get involved – Apprenticeships, Supported Internships etc
  • Other support and helpful links
  • Glossary of terms

*For data sources view: http://www.autism.org.uk/about-autism/myths-facts-and-statistics/some-facts-and-statistics.aspx

 

http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/help-information/Learning-Disability-Statistics-/187693/?view=Standard

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“Getting Talent is Getting Tough”

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Getting Talent is Getting Tough
England’s working age population volume and rate compared with Devon’s rate.

Participants from thirteen local Public Sector employers met at the Met Office for an update on the Apprenticeship Levy and the introduction of mandatory employment targets which will come into effect in April 2017. Ben Neild’s first presentation set the scene for the morning, proposing that apprenticeships could  help to grow and keep local talent of all levels as “getting talent is getting tough”. The agenda included four informative and inspiring presentations – links below:

A round table discussion followed around three questions which elicited a great deal of interaction and notes! Here is a brief summary:

Q1 How do you work together and share knowledge and information?

Local Public Sector employers do not work together although there are groups and networks to which they belong. In addition internal collaboration can be a problem.

Q2 What would a Gold Medal Standard look like?

A Gold Medal standard apprenticeship would meet the business need, reduce resistance to cultural change, maximise the levy payment, provide evidence to enable further development, enhance collaboration and provide the apprentice with a quality learning experience with opportunities for employment and progression, whilst receiving a decent wage.

Q3a What are your next steps?

The next steps are for organisations: to understand their business and training needs and what the levy and the targets mean for them; to communicate this to Senior Management and identify dedicated resource and/or apprenticeship champion; and to consider working with other organisations to aggregate demand in order to negotiate with Training Providers and to share apprentices.

Q3b How can the EHOD Employment and Skills Board (ESB) help?

The ESB can help by informing and influencing organisations and by linking organisations either through identifying existing networks or by providing a facility to do so or similar networking events.

You may also be interested to read:

More follow-up information about the event will be shared with participants. Please contact oenone.thomas@exeter.gov.uk or 01392 265344 if you would like more information.

 

 

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Public Sector Employers – Ready for the levy?

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DCC Apprentices 2015-graduation-ceremony1
DCC 2015 Apprenticeships Graduation Celebration

The Government has recently announced significant changes to Apprenticeships from April 2017. The changes are quite complex and far-reaching including Apprenticeship funding and incentives, delivery and direction, content, infrastructure etc. The most prominent message is a commitment to “3 million quality apprenticeship starts in England over this parliament”. For large public sector employers engagement will be mandatory, targets will be set and a levy charged.

This event is for local public sector employers to help them plan for the implementation of the Apprenticeship Levy, targets and new processes. It is designed for employers who already employ apprentices and for those that will be new to it. The agenda includes:

Exeter & Heart of Devon Economic Update from Ben Neild, University of Exeter

The importance of the public sector to the local economy and an update on productivity.

Detailed briefing on Apprenticeships post 2017 from Richard Daulton, National Apprenticeship Service

The Employer Levy, the 2.3% Public Sector target, the Digital Apprenticeship Service, apprenticeship standards and funding.

‘Large organisations thinking on Apprenticeships post 2017’ from Ben Neild, University of Exeter

Moving to a systemic approach.

A private sector case study from Nigel Fenn from South West Water

Assessing your current situation, plotting skills gaps and future needs, new recruits and/or workforce development and establishing costs and targets.

Room for collaboration?  A round table discussion chaired by Mark Shepherd (Chair of EHOD Employment & Skills Board)

Shared apprenticeships? Joint development of standards where they do not exist? Shared intelligence and information.

Lunch and networking

The Event Details:

It is essential to register for this event (see below).  Due to The Met Office security requirements please note that non-British Nationals should have their passports with them. Please do not arrive unless you are representing a Public Sector employer and you have booked your place. Thank you.

Date and Time 25 May 2016 09.00 am for 09.30 am with lunch at 12.30 pm
Location The Met Office, FitzRoy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB
Cost None. We are very grateful to the Met Office and to Exeter City Council for their support of this event.
RSVP – latest end of Tuesday 17 May. Confirmation is essential.

Please register using https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/public-sector-ready-for-the-levy-and-government-apprenticeship-targets-tickets-24007516127 As this is a targeted event you will need to enter this password EHODapprenticeships2017

 

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Apprenticeships Budget update

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Employers supporting the ‘Pass the Torch’ campaign at the ‘Tap into Top Talent’ business breakfast

Last week employers met at the ‘Tap into Top Talent’ business breakfast to hear about the Government’s proposed extensive changes to apprenticeships and their commitment to 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020. As well as having the opportunity to meet with employers who are committed to growing their own talent through the apprenticeship route, employers were signposted to the latest sources of information on the Employer Levy, the targets which will be imposed on the Public Sector, the new apprenticeship standards which replace apprenticeship frameworks and the mechanisms which underpin everything. Links to this information can be found at the bottom of this page.

Since ‘Tap into Top Talent’ there have been more announcements and information.

Government 10% Top-up announced in The Budget

This week George Osborne announced that the government will apply a 10% top-up to monthly funds entering levy paying employers digital accounts, for apprenticeship training in England, from April 2017. Therefore all funds entering a levy payer’s account will be increased, with every £1 will be increased to £1.10 in value.

Frequently Asked Questions

The proposed changes to Apprenticeships from 2017 are significant, quite complex and far-reaching including funding and incentives, delivery and direction, content, infrastructure etc. Select this link Apprenticeship Levy questions answered

Detailed and official information

Overview:

Latest government publications on Apprenticeships

New a short PowerPoint: Apprenticeships Levy Stakeholder Slides 14-03-2016

English Apprenticeships: Our 2020 Vision – Executive Summary

English Apprenticeships: Our 2020 Vision

Support for Employers:

The Employer Guide to Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Find an apprenticeship Training Organisation

Recruitment: Register on Find an apprenticeship (dedicated online vacancies and recruitment site)

Funding and Finance:

HMRC – The Employer Levy

Funding Principles and Minimum Apprenticeship Wage: Refer to Employer Guide (pages 9,14,15):

AGE Grant: £1,500/new recruit 16-14 year old apprentice. For details refer to employer fact sheet: 

National Insurance Employer Contribution – abolition for apprentices under 25 (from April 2016): HMRC:

Traineeships and Work Experience:

Employer Guide to Traineeships:

Apprenticeships: the range and levels:

Apprenticeship frameworks (live list)

Apprenticeship standards – Ready for Delivery

Apprenticeship standards – Approved for Development

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‘Tap into Top Talent’ Breakfast

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Speakers at Tap into Top Talent with Torch
Mark Shepherd (Waitrose), Paul Gale (Interserve), Simon McGinnes (Univeristy of Exeter), Fiona Parsons (SWW) & Richard Daulton (SFA) with the Apprenticeship Torch

The Government have recently announced significant changes to Apprenticeships which will take effect in 2017. The changes are quite complex and far-reaching but the most prominent message is a commitment to ‘3 million quality apprenticeship starts in England over this parliament’.

The Business Breakfast

The Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board’s ‘Tap into Top Talent’ Business Breakfast on Friday 11th March was an opportunity for local employers to find out more about the benefits of ‘growing your own’ talent. Some employers had already benefitted from employing Intermediate and Advanced level apprentices and wanted to explore Higher or Graduate apprenticeships. Others new to apprenticeships and faced with the possibility of a levy wish to make the most of the changes. Whilst other businesses were particularly eager to find out about the new BSc Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter. The event included presentations from successful apprentice employers and the opportunity for a question and answer session with an expert panel.  The event was part of the National Apprenticeship Week 2016 and kindly supported by Santander Corporate & Commercial Bank, at Pynes Hill, Exeter.

The Apprenticeship Torch

The ‘Apprenticeship Torch’ designed and made by apprentices to  symbolise the passing on of knowledge made an appearance. The Torch was en route to an event at The Shard in London on Monday and then back to Exeter for the Apprentice Expo 2016 on Tuesday 15th March. Employers took the opportunity for a photo call with The Torch and to make pledges to make apprentices part of their workforce in the future.

Apprenticeships move with the times

Many apprenticeships today reflect the emerging sectors in the economy including information technology. However, as far back as the 1500s apprenticeships in England were developed around traditional trades such as paper-making and printing. Later in the late nineteenth century apprenticeships encompassed emerging sectors such as engineering and shipbuilding. Apprenticeships have always moved with the times. Now the Government plans a series to develop apprenticeships for a new era of increased productivity. It intends to make significant changes in 2017 which are likely to include:

  • Employers with a pay-bill of at least £3,000,000 will pay the Apprenticeship Levy at 0.5% of their pay-bill through HMRC.
  • Employers will be eligible for an allowance of up to £15,000 towards apprenticeship course fees. This funding will be managed through the Digital Apprenticeship Service and is made on a £2 Government : £1 employer contribution basis and has a defined life-time after which it will be lost.
  • Public Sector employers employing more than 250 people will be required to ensure that apprentices represent 2.3% of their workforce. A separate event in April will be help for Public Sector employers to find out more about this.

Many of these planned changes are still in the ‘melting pot’ but employers need to keep up-to-date.  Plan to make apprentices part of the workforce either through formalising the training of existing employees or through recruitment so that you can make the most of the apprenticeship allowance, neutralise the cost of the levy if your paybill is over £3 million and meet the targets set for those in the Public Sector .

More detailed and official information

Overview:

English Apprenticeships: Our 2020 Vision – Executive Summary

English Apprenticeships: Our 2020 Vision

Support for Employers:

The Employer Guide to Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Find an apprenticeship Training Organisation

Recruitment: Register on Find an apprenticeship (dedicated online vacancies and recruitment site)

Funding and Finance:

HMRC – The Employer Levy

Funding Principles and Minimum Apprenticeship Wage: Refer to Employer Guide (pages 9,14,15):

AGE Grant: £1,500/new recruit 16-14 year old apprentice. For details refer to employer fact sheet: 

National Insurance Employer Contribution – abolition for apprentices under 25 (from April 2016): HMRC:

Traineeships and Work Experience:

Employer Guide to Traineeships:

Apprenticeships: the range and levels:

Apprenticeship frameworks (live list)

Apprenticeship standards – Ready for Delivery

Apprenticeship standards – Approved for Development

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BEEP benefits from RWC2015 Legacy

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Guildhall RWC2015 donation
Cllr Rosie Denham awards cheque to BEEP Trustees

BEEP received a very welcome boost thanks to the sale of Rugby World Cup 2015 banners and bunting used to promote the tournament in Exeter. Pin badges, lanyards, mini balls and other accessories donated by Rugby England 2015 were also sold to raise money. Three England squad players from Exeter Chiefs, Jack Nowell, Geoff Parling and Henry Slade supported the sale by signing two limited edition rugby balls. Councillor Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, presenting the cheque said: “The legacy of Rugby World Cup 2015 is strong in Exeter, and the sale of memorabilia will support the tremendous work of the BEEP programme, part of which is led by enthusiastic volunteers in the business sector to mentor and support young people and give them the confidence to adapt to the sometimes daunting world of work. The project began as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Legacy programme and has seen so much success for the young people that it has been adopted by the wider business community. This donation will go towards the next 10-day course once funds have been raised from other sources.” The Exeter & Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board aims to help create a ‘local world-class workforce where every individual matters’  and encourages employers to help BEEP make a positive difference to the lives of young people so that they can become part of a skilled and committed workforce.

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Ben Bradshaw backs BEEP

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BEEP & Ben Bradshaw
Ben Bradshaw MP finds out about BEEP. (L to R Sandra, Matt, Llewellyn, Ben and Aaron) Photo: Matt Austin

Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, met with young people and their mentors and employers at an event hosted by Everys Solicitors in Exeter to learn more about the Business Powering Employment Programme (BEEP). He said “It was great to meet Aaron and Matt and find out how BEEP is helping them. It’s really fantastic that they have moved into work and training and are doing so well, as they continue to receive support from their mentors”.

Mentee Matt Baker, 20, from Exeter, said: “The mentoring has been brilliant for me. I meet with Llewellyn quite regularly and it’s pushing me forwards. I’m at Exeter College, and know what I want to do next, to get the qualifications I need to help students with learning difficulties. I’ve got short term and longer term goals and that’s thanks to BEEP. It would be great if the programme keeps growing so more people can benefit.”

Llewellyn Nicholls, Head of Business Development and Marketing at Everys Solicitors and Matt’s mentor, said: “It’s been hugely rewarding being a mentor to Matt.  He has developed hugely over the past few months. His initial goals have now been realised and he’s firmly on the career ladder. His determination has really shone through.”

The programme (initially called REEP) used Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy funds and generous support from Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board partners but is now being expanded to support more young people across Devon. Support from businesses across Devon is needed if the programme is to reach its potential. Companies can support BEEP through a range of partnership opportunities, including sponsorship and mentor training, which supports the personal development of employees through becoming a mentor.

Ben Bradshaw said “It’s important now that companies get involved and support, because these are our future employees and have so much to offer if we can work with them and help them develop the skills and confidence to move forwards in their lives.”

Sandra Sampson, Director of Motiv-8sw, who has been helping to run the programme said “It’s transforming. Often the young people have been out of work or education for some time, have lost their confidence and are at a low ebb. The programme is already delivering fantastic results, genuinely helping to turn people’s lives around, but we really need to scale it up so we can help more.”

BEEP helps young people learn through performance coaching techniques and then on-going support from a mentor. Over 95 per cent of those who have been on the programme have gone on to secure work and training opportunities. As well as making a huge difference to the life of a young person, the programme provides benefits for mentors. BEEP delivers training to all mentors, equipping them with transferable skills which can be used in the workplace.

Organisations interested in getting involved and supporting the programme, should contact Sandra Sampson at Motiv-8sw on 01392 873939 and sandra@motiv-8sw.co.uk or visit BEEP.

 

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Tap into Top Talent

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BSc Digital

Employers are invited to attend a free Business Breakfast taking place on Friday 11th March 08:00-09:30 supported by Santander Corporate & Commercial Bank, at Pynes Hill, Exeter, on behalf of the Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board.

The Business Breakfast will provide information and advice to employers on the benefits of tapping in to top talent through the Higher and Graduate apprenticeship route and is part of the National Apprenticeship Week 2016, which runs between 14th and 18th March.

This event will be beneficial to employers who are looking to grow their own top talent, as well as those who have already benefitted from employing Intermediate and Advanced level apprentices and would like to explore Higher or Graduate apprenticeships. Businesses which operate in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Knowledge Based Industries (KBI) are encouraged to attend, as are those who are interested in finding out about the new Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter. The Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board encourages high quality apprenticeships across all sectors and levels, with particular interest in technical and higher entry level apprenticeships.

Simon McGinnes from The University of Exeter, will talk about the exciting new initiative of Degree Apprenticeships in Digital and Technology Solutions. Also included on the agenda are presentations from successful apprentice employers and the opportunity for a question and answer session within an expert panel discussion. Representatives from the local Apprenticeship Ambassador Network will be available to provide more information and insights during networking time.

The introduction of the apprenticeship levy from April 2017 will encourage employers to think more about benefitting from apprenticeships. Funding opportunities for employers and apprentices have changed with the Government making a significant contribution to Graduate apprentice tuition fees.

Apprenticeships are fast becoming an alternative route into gaining knowledge and skills for the workplace. This increase in work-based learning is growing noticeably, Exeter College anticipates that apprenticeship enrolments are set to exceed those enrolling into ‘A’ Level routes.

All of these interesting and timely topics will be discussed at the event, which is free to attend and includes breakfast and corporate hospitality.

Places are limited to 40 and businesses who would like to take part should register here or contact the Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills for further information by emailing oenone.thomas@exeter.gov.uk or ringing 01392 265344 by 4 March 2016.

 

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Support BEEP remember RWC 2015

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300915 RWC exeter princesshay street art FX24165 (1 of 1)

(Blog post original Exeter City Net)

Up for grabs are banners, flags and bunting used to decorate the city during the Tournament in September and October when Sandy Park hosted 3 pool matches.

All proceeds of the sale will be split between the Lord Mayor’s charity, the Exeter Foundation, and ‘BEEP’, Business Empowering Employment Programme, a successful Exeter Rugby World Cup 2015 legacy project which attracted the attention of HRH Prince Harry when he visited Exeter during Rugby World Cup 2015. BEEP makes a positive difference to the lives of young people between 16 and 24 years who are struggling to take their first steps on the career ladder.

Councillor Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, said: “This is a great opportunity for the residents of Exeter to claim a piece of Rugby World Cup 2015 memorabilia and donate to a worthwhile local cause. Some of the items are one-off or very limited stock, so we are expecting them to sell out very quickly. The City Council raises money on behalf of the Lord Mayor’s Charity each year and we felt it appropriate to share the proceeds of the sale with one of our most successful Rugby World Cup legacy projects, the BEEP programme which has already seen a number of young people successfully employed as a result of the training programme.”

Some items are very low stock so people are being asked to order early to avoid disappointment. All items are pre-used and will be in post-display condition; therefore some items may be slightly marked or environmentally soiled. Lamp post banners do not come with fixings for hanging.

Exeter city dressing can be viewed and purchased from http://www.jumblebee.co.uk/rugbyworldcup2015exetercitydressing

Due to the size and weight of the items, this is a cash-only and collection-only sale. Pre-ordered items via the website are to be paid for upon collection from Exeter City Council, Civic Centre, Paris Street, Exeter, by prior arrangement only (see website for details). The sale ends at 12pm on 14 January 2016.

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Employability Networking

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Increasingly employers are using employability networking tools to identify potential employees, contact partners or raise awareness. Professional networking tools and social media provide platforms for individuals to showcase their skills, work history and interests. How do young people from the age of 16 improve their employability in this online space?

We’ve been alerted to a free, multi-language, employability networking tool for young people called ‘You Rock’. You Rock not only has a graphical interface which sets it apart from more ‘traditional’ approaches, but it asks the user about their part-time work, interests and school/college activities. This diagnostic aspect helps young people identify their skills and strengths and displays them as a ‘personalised diamond’ which distorts to show their relative strengths. It is particularly helpful for individuals starting with little or no work history.  Like other professional networking tools skills can be endorsed and links created to content elsewhere. You Rock is still under development but it already has thousands of users across mainland Europe.

To get a flavour compare the front pages of the profiles of two different people below. The Primary Skill Group on the left is ‘communication’ and on the right ‘organisational’:

YouRock

If you are interested in finding out more about You Rock take a look at the PowerPoint overview on You Rock Jobs Overview (which includes contact links over numerous media) or the You Rock Support Guide or the You Rock Jobs resources website.

At the last Exeter and Heart of Devon Employment and Skills Board full meeting we discussed You Rock and decided to seriously consider planning a pilot project to collect feedback from young people, schools/colleges and employers. If you may be interested in participating please contact Oenone Thomas.