Heartbeat UK, which designs and manufactures retail displays, has unveiled a new training course to give unemployed adults the skills they need to enter the workplace.
Heartbeat UK, based in Arthur Street, Redditch, has added an eight-week Prepare for Work scheme to its suite of manufacturing training courses to meet the demand from local employers.
The company officially opened its £250,000 purpose-built Training Centre of Excellence branded as ‘The Training Academy’ last month (June). To date the tailored 16-week training programme has supported 42 learners, aged 16-24 with an impressive 87% success rate.
Now, the family-owned business has committed further to helping local unemployed people by creating a new fully funded training programme. Drawn up in conjunction with local employers, the course will enable learners to attain skills for other roles, including administration, customer service, retail, warehousing and care.
The first course begins on 10 July and will see 10 local people begin the full-time programme. Further courses will be available throughout the year and upon completion, learners will attain a Level 2 Certificate in Personal Development. The Training Academy has just secured funding working in partnership with Worcestershire County Council to deliver the ‘Skills4Work’ provision aimed at supporting unemployed individuals into sustainable employment.
Amy Hodgetts, Director at The Training Academy, said: “Our manufacturing training courses have been a real success and now we are also committed to supporting other sectors with succession planning and developing future talent for industry.
“We’ve worked closely with employers to devise a curriculum that covers areas such as employability, entry level skills for the workplace, confidence, motivation, IT, and personal development skills – all of which will help them gain the skills and foundations they need to progress in the workplace. We also provide work experience opportunities to help individuals progress into their chosen career.
“We are different from many training providers as our programmes are developed and created in partnership with employers. We are committed to working with schools, charities, welfare-to-work providers and other partners to offer unemployed individuals the chance to gain the necessary skills and experience and move into sustainable employment.”
The Duke of Kent officially opened the Heartbeat Training Academy, which received £83,000 investment from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Government’s Growth Deal, last month.
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire LEP, said: “It’s great to see that Heartbeat UK is already expanding the type of courses it offers to suit the needs of local employers. One of our priorities for strengthening the local economy is to develop a skilled workforce and Heartbeat UK is a major player in enabling us to do this.”
For details about The Training Academy, telephone 01527 838700 or visit The Training Academy website.
Pictured: Amy Hodgetts, Director of The Training Academy with Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire LEP at the royal opening of the Heartbeat Training Academy