Following on from the Get Ready for Work Programme (Phase 1) and the Prepared Programme (Phase 2), Phase 3 of the Employability Skills Programme started in August 2007 and runs to July 2008. It is for Jobcentre Plus customers who are either Lone Parents or on Incapacity Benefit. The aims of the programme are to enhance employability skills, improve literacy, language and numeracy skills, to secure and sustain employment, and to ensure the learning journey continues once employment is gained.

Blackpool and the Fylde College have been subcontracted by IGEN to deliver the programme to beneficiaries in Blackpool, Fleetwood and Wyre.

Beneficiaries are either referred from Jobcentre Plus or are directly referred by Blackpool and the Fylde College. Each beneficiary attends an initial advice and guidance session where they are given details of the programme and complete a Numeracy and Literacy assessment to establish which level they are at. This also establishes which of the following two routes the beneficiary will be offered: -

• Foundation – achieve nationally approved numeracy and literacy qualifications
• Employability – achieve nationally approved numeracy, literacy and employability qualifications

The programme runs for 20 hours a week over 13 weeks. The beneficiary will attend one of three Blackpool and the Fylde College sites depending on which is closest to their home: - Seasiders Learning Centre in Blackpool, Ansdell Campus in St. Annes, or Lofthouses in Fleetwood.

Beneficiaries may also be assisted with childcare and travel costs.

To date (June 2008) 108 beneficiaries have started on this programme and 60 have completed their training and are being assisted in looking for work. Due to the overwhelming success of this first year programme, we have been offered double the beneficiary numbers for the next year’s contract.

For more information on this programme please contact: -

Wendy Hirst
Tel : 01253 403394
School of Access and Continuing Education
Blackpool and the Fylde College
Blackpool Football Club
Seasiders Way
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY1 6JJ