Sector Work Academy Programmes
Sector Work Academy Programmes are a great way to support people into work while supporting employers in filling vital skills gaps and developing their workforce.
SWAPs are a fantastic tool for candidates who have no experience or qualifications within a particular sector or job role. Full training and support is provided to help those taking part gain the skills they need, whilst also providing practical experience of a specific job role – there is also a guaranteed job interview with the employer at the end of the programme.
Sector-based work academies help prepare those receiving unemployment benefits to apply for jobs in a different area of work. Placements are designed to help meet your immediate and future recruitment needs as well as to recruit a workforce with the right skills to sustain and grow your business. SWAPs are administered by Jobcentre Plus and are available across Devon and Cornwall.
This must be matched to the needs of your business sector.
An opportunity for your business to identify talent.
A guaranteed job interview or help with an employer’s recruitment.
The Department for Work and Pensions in Devon and Cornwall runs SWAPs in all sectors, from care, administration and the civil service to hospitality and retail. They are run with a wide range of providers including Princes Trust, Argyle Community Trust and many more. Use the toggles below to understand more about each component of a SWAP.
Training must be related to the employer recruiting and the sector, which can be provided by a Training Provider, or in house by the employer. Training can include qualifications related to the sector, (e.g Health & Safety, Customer Service qualifications, Food Hygiene, SIA Licence etc) plus Employability Skills training; how to write a fantastic CV to showcase and sell their relevant skills to the job role, how to complete application forms, Mock Interviews, do’s & don’t’s in the world of work in that sector – all to prepare the candidates and give them the skills in a supportive environment of how to shine, demonstrating their best self, answer interview questions to best match their transferable skills to the job role to match the criteria the employer is looking for.
To help the candidates taking part to put into practice all they have learnt during their training. This placement also acts as a ‘try before you buy’ both for the Employer & the candidates taking part as it helps candidates understand the practicalities of the job role, what it is like working for that employer whilst building knowledge & confidence. It allows the candidates to demonstrate their punctuality, ability & keenness to learn, how they will fit in with the rest of the employees in the company to become a great team member to best showcase if they would be an asset to the company? It allows the candidates to ask questions if unsure and to quantify the training they have learnt in the classroom, as well as see if they feel the job is right for them or not? Even if the candidate decides that particular job role is not right for them, that is also a plus – as no experience is negative, as skills will still have been learnt during the SWAP that can be added to their CV’s & it will help them identify what they did or didn’t like about that sector to move forward & try something else after the programme is completed.
Where each candidate taking part has a job interview with the recruitment team of the company; giving interview practice as well as the ability to gain feedback on how they did in their interview. This really helps to build confidence for the candidates taking part great to learn, & even if they are not successful in getting the job, it teaches how maybe only small tweaks are needed to make all the difference for the next job interview they have.
Babcock, in conjunction with the Department of Work and Pensions and Plymouth City Council, have developed a SWAP programme to support people back into employment.
Babcock, alongside Supacat, are building 70 new Jackal vehicles for the British Army which is creating new jobs in the South West region with 90 new jobs at Babcock’s Devonport site and over 40 at Supacat’s design, engineering and manufacturing facilities at Dunkeswell in Devon.
To help transition people back to the workforce, Babcock hosted a five-day comprehensive SWAP training programme. This included health and safety qualifications, wellbeing in the workplace, mindset coaching and support in finding employment as well as a tour of Babcock’s new production facility in Devonport and an insight into the Jackal project.
Following the SWAP programme, five people have been offered full-time roles within the project, of which two have already commenced their employment, with three starting in the coming weeks. Those who weren’t successful were given valuable careers advice supported by Plymouth City Council to help them secure future opportunities.
Rachel who attended the SWAP programme and was successful in gaining employment said: “I was waiting for an opportunity to prove myself. I really enjoyed the course, meeting new people and learning about the company. I had no idea that I would get a job at the end of it, but I am absolutely ecstatic about this opportunity and very excited about my journey here. I would 100% recommend the skills-based work academy or similar courses to other people. It’s just a fantastic opportunity to learn more and meet new people.”
Tom Newman, Babcock CEO, Land said: “Through the SWAP programme we will enhance and improve the lives of people who have previously found it difficult to gain employment.
“Embedding social value into the Jackal programme ensures that we are building a legacy and making a significant and sustained impact to our local communities, while supporting the growth of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport.”
Eifion Jones, Business Growth and Investment Director, Plymouth and South Devon Freeport said: “The SWAP programme is a fantastic initiative that will help to develop the skills and knowledge of our local workforce to ensure that we have the right people in place to support the growth of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport. We are committed to working with Babcock, Supacat, and all our tenants and partners, to deliver high-quality skills training and development opportunities that will benefit our businesses and communities and bridge the skills gap in the region.”
Mark Trewin, Principal Adult Education and Skills from Plymouth City Council said: “That little bit of investment in time and thinking about things slightly differently can make a difference to somebody who might have been long term unemployed or didn’t have a great time at school and is looking to turn their lives around. The experience of coming to Babcock and being part of the environment and the working atmosphere inspires those learners and gives them a real context and inspiration to want to get that job, improve their CVs and to improve their skills.”
Babcock, working alongside Plymouth and South Devon Freeport will continue to find opportunities to make a sustained difference to the local community as well as providing more SWAP events in the future.
