Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) June 2021
08 Jun 2021
The Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme is helping SMEs to upskill their workforce by providing access to funded qualifications and bespoke training.
Lichfield-based Rosemary Lodge Care Home received funded training from SSW to upskill its workforce to gain further qualifications in care.
It was important for staff at Rosemary Lodge Care Home to have the knowledge and expertise to deal with the ever-changing needs of residents, especially during the pandemic.
As SSW is co-financed by the European Social Fund and Education and Skills Funding Agency, Rosemary Lodge Care Home were able to access the training at no cost.
Rosemary Lodge Care Home first heard about the training opportunity when speaking to a business development advisor involved with the programme.
Upskilling the local workforce aligns with the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s (GBSLEP) Growth Programme, which aims to generate inclusive economic growth across the LEP region.
Programme Success
Performance Through People, one of the training providers chosen to carry out the Skills Support for the Workforce programme, delivered the remote training to 20 care staff, allowing them flexibility to complete the course within the given timescale. All carers had a named assessor to contact for support and guidance.
The assessors also contacted them at regular intervals over the weeks to ensure all staff were completing workbooks and to address any problems or concerns with the course. The assessors were also available for face-to-face meetings if needed.
All 20 staff members completed the course and gained invaluable knowledge that can be used to provide high-quality care to the region’s most vulnerable people.
Rob Matts, Head of Skills Support for the Workforce said:
“I would urge businesses to get in touch with our team and take advantage of the funded training on offer. We look forward to enabling many more businesses to take advantage of SSW training to upskill their staff and grow their businesses.”European Social Fund
The project will receive up to £4,000,000 funding from the European Social Fund as part of the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme in England. The Department for Work and Pensions (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for the England European Social Fund programme. Established by the European Union, the European Social Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support skills development, employment and job creation, social inclusion and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.
To find out more about the European Social Fund in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull area, please visit https://gbslep.co.uk/what-we-do/making-it-happen/european-funding
