After 20 years as one of the region’s leading employability specialists, The Source isn’t resting on its laurels.
The training and skills academy’s anniversary year is focused on building new relationships and moving into new arenas. CEO Tricia Smith explains: “Our two core purposes remain the same: increasing people’s job prospects and helping businesses grow by developing their workforces.
“To achieve these goals, our organisation must constantly be on its toes, predicting new trends and economic effects and being ready to support individuals and businesses. We’ve been doing exactly that for two decades but in 2023 we are really gearing up, moving into new educational sectors and offering different training delivery methods.
“The economy has taken a hit, sectors such as hospitality are really struggling and the education and the mental health of young people suffered during the pandemic. We are intent on helping the Sheffield City Region’s workforce to meet these challenges and become more resilient to whatever changes lie ahead, as well as supporting individuals who have had a disrupted education.”
The Source has already begun by introducing new qualifications and training opportunities. Some 18 months ago, its senior management team began a long-term relationship with the Association of Accounting Technicians, aiming to provide a wide range of accountancy qualifications and apprenticeships. The first cohort of AAT Level 1 in book-keeping completed their course in February 2023 with outstanding results – a 100% pass rate. The course is run bySheffield City Council’s Advancing Digital Programme, which is funded by the ESF.
Further AAT qualifications are now underway, with tutors supporting Source apprentices through the required 20% of their job training, and in autumn 2023, the academy will deliver its first Level 3 Accountancy Apprenticeships. “The decision to provide finance qualifications comes after listening to our business admin apprentices when they told us they wanted to further their careers with financial qualifications, and also identifying demand from businesses we work with. As costs soar, employers want to increase their in-house finance skills; we are facilitating that,” commented Tricia.
The Source is also eyeing the rapidly developing green energy sector as an important new arena for its relationships with local businesses. The number of jobs being created in renewable energy is growing at a rate which is four times faster than the UK’s total employment market. The industry has been slow to take off in Yorkshire but that could soon change and ensuring the region has access to the right accredited training and qualifications is a priority for The Source.
CEO Tricia explains that “there are many conversations underway in the Sheffield City Region to address emerging employment opportunities in the green sector and we are keen to have more of our own. We want to hear from local companies thinking of expanding their renewable energy skills so we can learn about what specific qualifications they need, onboard them and grow our talented team of tutors to deliver them.”
To discuss green energy training and qualifications, contact Natalie.Doherty@thesourceacademy.co.uk
