Adapt Projects

 

ESF Objective 4

Series of Projects

 

ESF Objective 4 projects are aimed at helping people in employment to improve their skills, at undertaking research to develop understanding of business needs and at creating networks which will develop business capability current projects include:

click on project to see explanation

• Basic & Key Skills in the Workplace
• Mentor Training for Basic & Key Skills Development
• ICT Skills Network
• Scoping ICT Training Needs
• Retail Training Network
• Retail Training Network (3.1)
• Rural Training Network
• Training for the Care Sector
• Training for Childcare Workers
• Learn IT
• Building Learning
• Skills Benchmarking
• Workforce 2000
• Lancashire Intelligence Network

Basic and Key Skills in the Workplace

This project provides training targeted at:

"workers whose skills need to be brought up to the level of the rest of the workforce"

The project delivers "customised" training to individuals, based on an initial assessment of their needs, and makes use of ICT/multi-media;

• to enhance access to learning resource/support available in the workplace and/or "common service" community locations
• to enable trainees to learn at their own pace.

The project targets groups which include:

• workers with poor communication skills,
• workers who are not computer literate,
• those with poor basic skills such as literacy and numeracy.

The SMEs targeted will be from a cross-sectional manufacturing sector.

Training to NVQ Level 1 and 2 or equivalent.

Mentor Training for Basic and Key Skills Development

This project provides training to those employees of SMEs who wish to act as mentors/first line guidance workers supporting others in the development of their skills.

The target group requires a "flexible" and "customised" programme to provide them with training in using IT/ICT including using e-mail, bulletin boards and information services. This allows them access to support from "Training Support Centres" for continued learning, which includes TDLB training supported, where appropriate, through the use of multi-media.

The training is based on individuals needs and on their workplace role but, in most cases it covers:

• mentoring and trainer skills,
• guidance skills,
• skills in planning "whole workforce training",
• IT/ICT skills to enable them to support workplace learning using these tools,
• and will lead to TDLB units.

Training to NVQ Level 2 and 3 or equivalent.

ICT Skills Network

The project targets two occupational groups (craft/skilled manual) across three sectors (manufacturing, business services, tourism) and provides them with training it IT/ICT

Learning/support is available:

• within the workplace, where companies can make use of a learning network, linking a dedicated PC to access on-line training and support from tutors or support from tutors for multi-media CD local play,
• via "local learning centres", drop-in or by-appointment centres convenient to SMEs in location/opening times and linked via ICT to Training Support Centres in college. These could include "Open Learning" centres within colleges.

The project offers the following "level" of training provision:

• skills needs scoping for SMEs and individual employees,
• "underpinning" training to raise basic IT/ICT awareness and skills. This can include CLAIT, "Using the Internet" and NVQ 2,
• customised provision which meets the specific needs of individuals/employers.

Training to NVQ Level 2 and 3 or equivalent.

Scoping ICT Training Needs

This project is designed to train managers/key workers:

• to enable them to "scope" IT/ICT training needs based on a full appreciation of IT/ICT impact on businesses and particularly SMEs,
• to enable them to support the subsequent training of the workforce in IT/ICT, using learning network solutions.

The key workers are drawn from SMEs, from large companies working with SMEs in collaborative provision, from intermediary/training organisations and from trade unions.

This project forms a component of actions which will help businesses and individuals to benchmark their existing IT/ICT skills against business needs, and to deliver training to meet these needs.

Key workers/trainers play a central role in delivering this project, and the specific objectives of the project are:

• to identify a cohort of key workers, made up of people from large companies, SMEs and also including union representatives and people working in local/community access centres,
• to provide them with training to develop their IT/ICT skills, and with skills in designing learning programmes and supporting learners,
• to provide continuing support for the key workers/trainers.

The training is designed to enable beneficiaries to:

• scope IT/ICT related training needs within the workplace,
• identify suitable training and materials to meet the organisations needs,
• use ICT to support learning in the workplace.

Training to NVQ Level 2 and 3 or equivalent.

Retail Training Network

This project has been designed to provide a flexible programme of training for people working in the retail sector and offers:

• a "telephone help desk" providing advice on training services,
• significant use of multi-media and on-line training materials,
• support for workplace learning via an ICT network,
• a range of "common core" training packages,
• a range of "access points" to training,
• a range of specialist provision, including provision in using the Internet and using multi-media to present customer information,
• guidance sessions and action planning/labour market awareness,
• a programme combining elements of training and delivery and leading to a nationally-recognised VQ.

The training areas are:

• retail and retail management vocational qualifications,
• customer care,
• basic and key skills.

Training to NVQ Level 2 and 3, or equivalent.

Retail Training Network (3.1)

This project focuses on developing a learning network for the retail industry that provides an opportunity for its members of develop an awareness of business trends and current issues. It also develops an awareness of sources of information, of ways of addressing skill deficits amongst staff and of developing IT/ITC based solutions to business problems. The network provides a forum for employers, workplace representatives and training providers to exchange information about needs and to explore the development of solutions.

A particular feature of the project is the attention that is given to telematic areas both in relation to the development of skills for staff in order to respond to the rapidly changing requirements of the industry and as a potential element of business practice through the development of e-commerce and related skills.

Employers are encouraged to become involved in developing the skills of their workforce.

Rural Training Network

This project provides the opportunity of training for people employed by businesses (especially SMEs) operating in rural areas throughout the North West . The training is directed particularly (but not exclusively) towards those businesses operating in the agriculture and tourism areas.

The project recognises the issues related to rural isolation and support is available for study using distance learning methods and materials

The main objectives of the project are to:

• scope the need for workforce development against business needs/trends,
• provide both advisory services and resource to develop delivery plans against those needs,
• provide the support they need to implement these plans,
• build a sustainable network, and to support employers and employees in auditing/measuring progress and reviewing needs against developing trends. This will include via on-line peer group networks.

The training available focuses on the areas of:

• Key skills - communication, number, IT, etc,
• IT/ICT Skills,
• Vocational upskilling,
• Teleworking.

Training to NVQ Level 2 and 3 or equivalent.

Training for the Care Sector

This project provides training for people working in the care sector, including residential and domiliary care.

The objectives are:

• to provide individuals working in this sector with a training programme which combines (where required) basic skills, specific vocational skills, and core skills, thus making them more effective in their current employment and providing a platform for progression to higher levels of employment,
• to work with employers to deliver training programmes which allow them to meet quality standards and business criteria,
• to build a learning infrastructure of the sector, involving employers and employees bringing together or building on local consortia,
• to utilise partnerships between colleges and existing care assessment centres.

The project provides a range of training opportunities including short, tailored programmes giving training for specific situations - basic & key skills training where required, training towards nationally recognised qualifications in care and in management/supervisory roles. Training is designed to respond to individual needs with a menu of programmes, modes of learning and support being offered to beneficiaries.

The project also supports the acquisition of transferable skills by:

• prioritising basic skills/IT skills as a passport to further skills,
• accrediting skills to demonstrate their value.

Training to NVQ Level 1, 2 and 3 or equivalent.

Training for Childcare Workers

This project provides training for people working in childcare, including self-employed childcare workers/childminders.

The project provides a range of training opportunities including short, tailored programmes giving training for specific situations - basic and key skills training where required, training towards nationally recognised qualifications in care and management/supervisor. Training will respond to individual needs with a menu of programmes, modes of learning and support being offered to beneficiaries.

The objectives of the project are:

• to provide individuals working in this sector with a training programme which combines (where required) basic skills, specific vocational skills, and core skills, thus making them more effective in their current employment and providing a platform for progression to higher levels of employment,
• to work with employers to deliver training programmes which allow them to meet quality standards and business criteria,
• to build a learning infrastructure of the sector, involving employers and employees bringing together or building on local consortia.

Training to NVQ Level 1, 2 and 3 or equivalent.

Learn IT

This project was developed to deliver training in IT/ICT skills to clerical and administrative workers across all sectors. It has a special focus on those skills which are required to support new ways of working both within businesses and in the way that businesses interact with other businesses and with customers.

The objectives are:

• to offer a range of materials to support learning, including first-step IT/ICT training into develop core skills, more advanced and package training,
• to make these available in community, college and workplace learning situations,
• to provide support for learners, including mentoring support,
• to quality assure all aspects of content and delivery,
• to support individuals and SMEs in developing a learning programme appropriate to their needs, supporting them through this programme and in gaining accreditation for learning.

Training to NVQ Level 1, 2 and 3 or equivalent.

Building Learning

This project was developed in collaboration with CITB. It supports the development of training policies for the Construction sectors, putting these into effect by collaboration between companies and the partners.

The project meets the needs of semi-skilled and craft workers who need to update their skills and become multi-skilled. The project has:

• an emphasis on core skills, especially team-working skills,
• skills in using new technology.

The project specifically identifies a number of areas where further education is required:

• upskilling and multi-skilling in specific vocational areas,
• core skills development,
• accreditation of existing skills,
• basic skills development.

The objectives of the project are:

• to promote collaboration between colleges, CITB and employers,
• to work with individual employers to identify needs against business needs and trends,
• to deliver training to individual employers, identifying their needs and structuring a programme to meet these,
• to build, through the programme, employer collaboration and collaboration between the partners which will support a sustainable training solution.

Training to NVQ Level 1, 2 and 3 or equivalent

Skills Benchmarking

This project develops benchmarking standards and support materials which will be used by micro-businesses to develop company based skills analyses with the aim of assessing their current methods of identifying and tackling the competence and training needs of the company.

Best practice in sectoral skills analyses within each group of 5 SMEs is used to support the micro-businesses and those working with them to develop company action plans for workforce training programmes.

The project does not benchmark solely technical skills but also focuses on:

• personal abilities and transferable core skills which are required in employee's present job and increase their future employability,
• the day to day management skills required by SMEs.

The project involves the following activities:

• a cohort of successful micro-businesses has been identified in 5 pilot sectors. These meet the following criteria:
1. demonstrating good HRD practice
2. employing between 3 and 40 people
3. trading for 5 or more years
4. regarded by sector as outstanding
5. using the best practice identified to develop benchmarking/planning tools for sectoral skills analysis and work with SMEs in developing workplace learning plans linked to business objectives.

Workforce 2000

This project is designed to promote the development of networks with/between SMEs. Where it is possible this should be through the medium of a large company learning centres where this is not possible the firms will be connected to Colleges Learning Centres in order to access multi-media and text based learning materials and information services.

The basic aim of the project is to bring SMEs into networks which will promote access to and use of telematic based training. The project envisages a target of basic/key/flexible skills as the prime target for learning by those who will be the ultimate beneficiaries.

Lancashire Intelligence Network

The project will develop an "intelligence network" to:

• enhance the labour market/skill trend information collection, collation and analysis available to SMEs,
• provide them with support in planning labour force/HRD strategies on the basis of this information,
• enable SMEs, Colleges and intermediary agencies to identify gaps in available training materials.

The specific actions are:

• identifying a small number of "tracker" companies/businesses at the geographical/sectoral level,
• reviewing with these companies on a bi-annual basis, their expectations of skill needs over the medium terms ie. not simply measuring their existing skills gaps/hard-to-fill vacancies.

The outputs will be delivery of the objectives to:

• enhance the labour market/skill trend information collection, collation and analysis available to SMEs,
• provide them with support in planning labour force/HRD strategies on the basis of this information,
• enable colleges and other training providers to identify gaps in available training materials/provision.