LSIP addresses training and work accessibility issues

A partnership which places businesses at the heart of Hull and East Yorkshire’s local skills system focused at its latest event on addressing the accessibility issues which present barriers for young people trying to get into training and work.

The HEY Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) brought together employers and training and education providers who are working to tackle exclusion arising from physical disability, special educational needs (SEND) and geographical isolation.

Beth Dennett, Community Investment Strategist, at Sewell Group said lack of employer engagement has been identified as a factor behind the lack of work experience places for SEND students.

Viki Foster, Careers Lead at Withernsea High School, said the clear message from the top of her organisation is that students should not miss out on opportunities because of their location.

Adam Rhodes, Head of Partnerships at Connexin Academy, underlined the importance of larger employers helping smaller firms to offer apprenticeship opportunities by transferring funds from the apprenticeship levy.

Phil Ascough, Chair of HEY LSIP, said: “Our job is to promote engagement and collaboration between employers and the training and education providers, and once again we saw that in abundance at our latest forum.

“Everything we are hearing indicates that employers, educators and trainers are making the most of our events on the day and by following up afterwards to generate new ideas and solutions.”

The HEY LSIP team is led by the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce and is one of 38 around the country. It has identified its five priority sectors as construction, engineering construction, manufacturing, agri-skills and health and social care and set up working groups for each one. HEY LSIP is also looking at the cross-cutting themes of digital and Net Zero.

The LSIP has also identified its key themes of technical skills, educational professionals, employability and behaviours, careers guidance and accessibility and organises quarterly forums to discuss the various issues around them.

The latest event at Connexin Live in Hull was hosted by Connexin Academy, which supports its own business and others in the digital sector by offering industry-specific training courses, government-funded skills bootcamps and job-specific apprenticeships.

Adam said the Academy has supported more than 5,000 learners through apprenticeships, skills boot camps, advanced learner loans, adult education budgets and commercial training courses.

He said: “It’s a really positive initiative and something we want to push. We need those smaller businesses to understand that it’s there for them because not enough of them are aware.”

Adam added that of 56 learners enrolled on their advanced fibre engineering skills boot camp, 48 gained full-time employment and 15 of those gained promotions.

He said: “It didn’t just get them a job – it got them a career. We identified a skills shortage problem and came up with a solution.”

Beth outlined a “scary” scenario in which some careers teachers have to resort to cold-calling businesses to even get the slightest chance of a work experience placement for their SEND students.

She added that her company’s SEND work experience programme is structured to be inclusive, supportive and individually tailored and designed to bridge the gap between education and employment.

Beth said: “Many teachers take on careers work as an addition to their main role, and they only have a limited time to dedicate to finding placements. Although they wouldn’t put SEND students forward for work experience if they’re not ready, teachers often don’t have a full appreciation for the full range of careers out there, especially if they’re not in a full-time careers role, which can lead to limited options for students.

“All our businesses have supported SEND placements and they have all worked. It’s not as difficult as you think. It’s all about accessibility and confidence and giving people the best experience possible.”

Delegates also heard from the Department of Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus. Helen Syson and Debbie Law spoke about the importance of the Disability Confident Scheme in helping employers make the most of the talents of people with disabilities. They also introduced their SWAP (Sector-based Work Academy Programme) which supports pre-employment training, work experience and the recruitment process.

Viki said students at Withernsea High School are demonstrating their willingness to work by travelling as far as North East Lincolnshire for placements. She added that the school recognises that a commitment to careers guidance is vital.

She said: “I am a full-time careers lead and careers adviser. My role is 100 per cent dedicated to that which means we can be part of things like the LSIP programme. It gives us the opportunity to have a say for our young people.

“Our school motto is ‘Working together, achieving more’, and we believe this is a really important message for not only the students of Withernsea High School, but all key stakeholders in the region to continue to develop and build on the excellent work that is being done by all.”

Details of the next quarterly forum will be announced on https://www.heylsip.com/