Support available for SMEs to upskill staff and recruit for the future
Nottingham Trent University is working with a consortium of local colleges and universities to deliver the ESF High Level Skills programme, where local companies can receive dedicated support, advice and funding to upskill current employees and access a wealth of graduate talent that is available across D2N2 (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire).
This ground-breaking programme is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF). The consortium includes Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham College, Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Derby College, University of Derby and Nottingham City Council.
This is the first time universities and colleges in the region have worked together on such a large scale to develop employer-led learning and training in collaboration with local SMEs.
Through the programme, eligible SMEs will have access to the following projects:
Priority Skills for D2N2 SMEs
‘Priority Skills for D2N2 SMEs’ will provide bespoke, employer-led training, career coaching and advice to upskill and support people working in local SMEs. It offers higher and degree apprenticeships as well as high-quality short courses, focused on giving employees the high-level technical and vocational skills relevant to today’s industries.
It will focus on unlocking talent in the region by making the local workforce more diverse and inclusive by supporting staff that may face barriers to accessing high level skills and pathways, including:
- women
- people aged 50+
- people with disabilities
- people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
- those who have missed out on traditional educational opportunities
GRADS for D2N2
The ‘Graduate Retention And Delivering skills for SMEs (GRADS) for D2N2’ project provides small and medium-sized businesses working in priority sectors a complete package of free and subsidised support to help them benefit from graduate talent in the region.
Eligible SMEs can access a wide range of support to plug skills gaps, achieve more and grow your business;
- Skills and talent needs assessment – After enrolling onto the project you can request a free, full review of your business’ current organisational set-up. This can identify your future needs and goals and explore how graduate and high-level skills could boost your business productivity.
- Skills and talent action plans – Businesses will be assisted in developing an action plan to implement the findings of the skills and talent needs assessment.
- Talent grants and graduate placements – Talent grants can be used to support work experience and placements that are meaningful for both SMEs and graduates.
- Higher and degree apprenticeships advice – Grow your own apprentice by making them a key part of your organisation’s development. Work with the Apprenticeships team to understand how a higher or degree apprenticeship could be used to upskill existing employees and attract new talent.
- Putting SME voices at the heart of course design – Through co-design, Nottingham Trent University aims to put SME needs, insight and experience at the core of the courses they’re delivering.
In addition to Nottingham Trent University’s offer described above, SMEs can access a range of support including:
- Derby College – employer-led bitesize courses and flexible individual learning pathways
- Nottingham College – flexible, bespoke career progression courses and vocational taster sessions
- University of Derby – employer-led short courses focused on higher and technical skills
- Vision West Nottinghamshire College – employer-led units of sector-specific qualifications and skills
The ESF High Level Skills programme is due to run until 2020. If you are interested in finding out more about the programme, please click here.
