Finding and recruiting new staff
Working with the Sector Skills Development Agency, Jobcentre Plus and the Learning and Skills Council, Skills for Health has developed a Sector Employability Toolkit (Sector Routeway for Health) to help people move into sustainable employment in the health sector.
The innovative programme features:
- An employability checklist to identify the attitude, basic skills and behaviour expected at point of entry
- Advice on selection processes, including interviews and assessments
- A Sector Routeway programme consisting of two weeks’ pre-employment training (focusing on language, literacy and numeracy) and three weeks on the job experience.
Individuals will receive benefits whilst participating, thanks to the seamless support from the out-of-work to in-work training programme, as they develop the vital skills they need to enter employment.
Whilst there is no job guarantee for participants at the end of the programme, a real employment opportunity in an initial entry level entry job role (Career Framework for Health) such as domestic assistant, catering assistant, linen assistant, porter, should be available.
It is envisaged that participants will continue their learning and development with the employer through Joint Investment Framework funding and Train to Gain.
Benefits to employers include:
- Participants enter employment ‘job ready’
- Tailoring to meet the specific needs of the health sector
- Reduction in recruitment and retention costs
- Training linked to Knowledge and Skills Framework, National Occupational Standards and national standards for adult literacy and numeracy.
In the recently published Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ‘Ready to Work, Skilled for Work: Unlocking Britain’s Talent’ document, the ministerial foreword states ‘A nation that can help more people to find work, stay in work and progress will be well equipped to succeed.’
Skills for Health sees such innovative employer partnership programmes as a way to support this agenda. If you would be interested in piloting the Sector Employability Toolkit or need more information, please email:
margaret.kelvey@skillsforhealth.org.uk
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