Jack Ward-Golden by the Co-op Funeralcare branch in Fratton
The placement came about as HSDC, a college that has campuses in Havant, Alton and South Downs, teamed up with Southern Co-op – and it will see a further 20 placements created in the PO area in June.
HSDC said it was proud to be part of the 100 in 100 campaign, set up to increase awareness of the opportunities for young people in the Portsmouth area and promote Kickstart, traineeships and apprenticeships.
HSDC is working with Southern Co-op, which is preparing to welcome its first Kickstart cohort of 16 to 24 year olds across its retail stores and funeralcare branches including roles in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
100 in 100
The regional co-operative is initially welcoming 15 people to its teams including three at its Co-operative Funeralcare branch in Fratton and one at its branch in Lake.
A further 20 places will be created in the PO area during its second intake in June.
The Kickstart Scheme placements are funded by the government for 25 hours per week for six months and are for people on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
100 in 100
Linda Masterman, diversity and inclusion manager at Southern Co-op, said: ‘This is a great opportunity to give job placements to young people who may have been overlooked before due to lack of experience.
‘The scheme means we look for people with the right attitude, as we can teach them the skills and give them the confidence to be able to secure a role at the end of their placement either with us or another retailer.’
In order to help them gain as many skills as possible, Southern Co-op’s programme will also give young adults a chance to gain a Level One Certificate in Employability Skills which is being run by HSDC.
Southern Co-op has worked with HSDC for a number of years as part of its apprenticeship scheme.
HSDC has created a certified programme that the young people will complete as part of their placement, in the workplace.
Aaron Butson, assistant principal business, employment and skills said: ‘HSDC delivers training to employers for the skills and knowledge needed for the Kickstart Scheme. The scheme’s main focus is equipping young people with all the employability skills they need to succeed, making them more employable for the future.
‘HSDC helps employers maximise their funding possibilities to support the Kickstart Scheme. We support employers as much as possible in local employment, enabling them to provide the best possible start for these young people’s careers.’
Southern Co-op’s first Kickstart cohort will be launched on April 12 with placements in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, Surrey and Basingstoke. Referrals are made on to the scheme via local Jobcentres.
For more information on 100 in 100, go to shapingportsmouth.co.uk - or to register an interest e-mail [email protected]
Alternatively go to solentapprenticeshiphub.com
Roll of honour
We're off to a great start with our 100 in 100 campaign - just six weeks after it was launched, 17 employers in the Portsmouth area have already committed to taking on a total of 29 apprentices. Could you join them? For more information, go to shapingportsmouth.co.uk or to register an interest, e-mail [email protected]
Here's our roll of honour so far:
Really B2B - marketing agency based at Lakeside, North Harbour
Portsmouth Diocese - Church of England area covering 139 parishes
STS Defence - technology and engineering business based in Gosport
Eaton Aerospace - aerospace company based in Bedhampton
Transalis - business solutions company based in Portsmouth
Portsmouth Water - utility company responsible for water supply and distribution
Morris Crocker - chartered accountants based in Havant
Highbury College - further education college in Cosham
Tax Assist - accountancy firm in Portsmouth
Yellow Strawberry - hairdressing salon in Hayling Island
*Apprenticeships via training provider Highbury College
South Western Railway – train operating company that runs services in south west London and southern counties of England and on the Isle of Wight -
*Apprenticeships via training provider Fareham College
Puddleduck Day Nursery - children's nursery in Milton -
The John Doyle Partnership – accountants in Southsea
Highfield Professional Solutions - an employment agency in Durley
Activ8 Minds - an after-school programme in Emsworth
*Apprenticeships via training provider Portsmouth College
Castle Pre-School, Cosham
Jackson and Green - accountants, business and tax advisers in Cosham
*Apprenticeships via training provider HSDC
Portsmouth City Council
100 in 100 Partners
Solent Apprenticeship Hub
Hub manager Jodi Fair said: ‘We are thrilled to be playing a part in 100 in 100 and have confidence that this will be beneficial, not only to the individuals who are beginning their career journeys, but also the employers that will be introducing new, skilled employees into their workforce.’
Portsmouth City Council
Cabinet member for culture, leisure and economic development and deputy leader Steve Pitt said: ‘The 100 in 100 campaign is a great opportunity to celebrate the important work that is undertaken across the city and the positive steps it takes towards recovery. Collaboration between our incredible businesses and the skills providers who support them is a powerful tool for growth. As a council we are committed to raising aspirations and skills development. That's why we're supporting this campaign, the business growth and the entrepreneurial spirit Portsmouth is known for.’
Fareham College
College principal and CEO Andrew Kaye said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting this initiative encouraging employers to offer new and existing staff and young adults the opportunity to take their first step on to the career ladder, or progress further in their chosen career. Fareham College’s focus has always been to equip its learners with the knowledge, skills and experience to achieve their ambitions and we look forward to enabling as many people as possible to gain valuable industry experience to set them on the path of their chosen career, as well as aiding the local economy and assisting business recovery in the region.’
Highbury College, Portsmouth
Craig Mincher, commercial director, said: 'The 100 in 100 campaign comes at a crucial time for both individuals and businesses in Portsmouth. Highbury College are proud to play a part in a campaign that will offer such hope and tangible outcomes for both local employers and adults of the city.'
Havant and South Downs College
Director for business growth and innovation Aaron Butson said: ‘Everything we do at HSDC is to realise the ambitions of our community and we fully support Shaping Portsmouth and partners in the 100 in 100 campaign. With everyone working together to realise this ambition, we will all have a tremendous impact supporting young people into work and supporting others in our community regain employment and upskilling opportunities.'
Portsmouth College
Vice principal Tom Lloyd said: ‘Portsmouth College is delighted to be able to play a role in the 100 in 100 campaign. Collaboration is critical during a crisis and this project is a fantastic example of employers, training providers and agencies from across the city coming together to promote opportunities and support local people back into employment.’
University of Portsmouth
Claire Middleton, degree apprenticeship manager, said: ‘100 in 100 is a great opportunity to highlight all the wonderful new apprentices and employers that we have in the city and to show the commitment they are making in the road to recovery post-Covid. Collaborating with partners is the best way to raise awareness of apprenticeships at all levels and show the diversity of courses, employers and apprentices that are available in our community.'
Shaping Portsmouth
Chief executive officer Stef Nienaltowski said: ‘Two years ago, we launched our Roadmap to a Career vision and this programme is yet another key part of that. No matter what your age, your career options should not be a hidden secret but something you can get access to and experience readily. This programme aims to give our people that opportunity and, whilst some of the placements are age-limited, some are not. Opportunity is for everyone and Shaping and our partners aim to make that happen with this and following programmes.'
Placement types available as part of the 100 in 100 initiative
Apprenticeships – combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you'll be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay. Work alongside experienced staff and gain job-specific skills.
Traineeships – a course with work experience that gets you ready for work or an apprenticeship. It can last from six weeks up to one year, though most traineeships last for less than six months. You can apply if you're eligible to work in England, unemployed and have little or no work experience.
T-level paid placements – new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A-levels. These two-year courses, which launched in September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study. T-levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and 'on-the-job' experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).
Internships – a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment. Can be paid or unpaid.
Work experience (fewer than 70 hours) – enables young, unemployed people to volunteer for placements lasting between two and eight weeks.
Kickstarters – the government's Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.
