Our doors are open and we’re ready to help, says The Source
The Source is open and ready to help businesses bounce back and support people the pandemic left jobless.
Since 2003 the Skills Academy, a not-for-profit charity, has helped thousands of people into work or to boost careers.
It served the community throughout the pandemic, going online to upskill furloughed staff at more than 70 Sheffield City Region (SCR) companies, and reintroducing vital face-to-face training for First Aiders.
The Meadowhall Way organisation opened some learning and conference events spaces on April 12 when the government allowed education and training to recommence.
A new community learning zone on the ground floor is giving jobless people support and the Community and Employability team is assisting the young unemployed and others made redundant by the pandemic.
Companies are already booking conference rooms and renting short and long-term office spaces on the premises, a scheme launched last autumn.
Carefully planned on-site safety includes socially distanced layouts and one-way systems, hand-sanitising and COVID-19 lateral testing stations.
The academy aims to fully re-open from June 21, in line with government guidelines.
Meanwhile it is helping workers gain free skills training and businesses to fill workforce gaps with jobless young people via apprenticeships – which come with up to £4,000 of cash grants – and work placement scheme Kickstart, which provides a £1,500 grant and funds six months of wages.
“In this fragile economic climate, we are needed more than ever by businesses and unemployed people alike,” said Tricia Smith, CEO.
Go to www.thesourceacademy.co.uk/coronavirus-update
Paige turned over a new leaf with a Traineeship
The pandemic has led to more students exiting school without qualifications and many risk long-term unemployment.
Traineeships at The Source can turn their lives around. Lasting up to six months, the educational training programme prepares unemployed 16-18-year-olds for work by building confidence, improving their Maths and English skills, and giving them a professional attitude to work.
Work experience with a local business is vital to the learning process and has led to many trainees gaining apprenticeships or jobs.
The academy is appealing to SCR businesses to provide work placements or recruit newly qualified trainees.
Paige Jordan, 17, from Brightside, hated school and left in 2019 with no GCSEs.
She gained a qualification at Sheffield College and was resitting Maths and English exams when the pandemic hit.
In September 2020 she began a Traineeship, realising it was a chance to start afresh.
Paige gained English, Maths and digital qualifications and enjoyed a month with Balfour Carpets in Sheffield, whose feedback was so positive, The Source itself set on Paige in its Facilities Team. She is also now one of the friendly faces on reception and is set to study a Level 2 Customer Service qualification.
Go to community@thesourceacademy.co.uk for info on a Traineeship course starting in August.
