Chesterfield College recently ran a successful Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP) to help develop its own workforce and recruit staff to join the team. The programme was designed to help people who are out of work but have a passion to work in education, to develop the skills and knowledge they need for the role.
Working with Job Centre Plus, the college normally offers SWAP to other employers up and down the country to help build their workforce. The programme supports people into employment and develops the specific skills an employer is looking for.
Skills for work and life
Participants told us how useful the intensive 3 week course was to develop specific skills that would help in their application and prepare them for interview. They also told us how it had boosted their confidence, knowledge and skills for work and life.
The course included a range of topics from safeguarding to using first aid, and much more.
One of the participants on the course, Annette told us:
“I was really interested in the job role and this has helped me to build confidence for coming to interview. We have learnt lots of things that we’ll be able to use in different situations for work and in everyday life. From learning how to use a defibrillator to understanding more about safeguarding. I have also become a walking dictionary and developed my language skills to help me understand the course. Even my friends have commented on the difference.”
Celebrating achievements
Before the final day of interview preparation, the participants were all presented with certificates by Deputy Principal, David Malone.
At the ceremony Jo Down, Director of Student Experience and Wellbeing thanked everyone for their interest in working for the college and their commitment to the programme.
She said:
“You have gained so much knowledge in the last few weeks about the organisation and working in education. All the work you have done is really good preparation for this and any other position that you apply for in the future. I hope what you have learnt is going to be valuable. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope to be working with you soon.”