3C: How is success in meeting the needs and interests of learners recognised?

Project managers skilfully find and set up work placements. Employers receive a detailed information pack about [the provider], its clients and support systems. The employer, project manager and client discuss the range of skills and activities that the client can take. Many employers provide detailed induction programmes. Some draw up a learning plan for clients. Employers are supportive and help clients to achieve their individual goals.

The jobsearch training is effective in helping clients to improve their employment prospects. Jobsearch staff have good knowledge of the local labour market and a sound understanding of the barriers to employment encountered by their clients. They provide a welcoming atmosphere where clients feel comfortable and confident to work. Some jobsearch leaders are good role models for older clients.

Gateway clients benefit from the links with employers by the provision of work placements that meet their needs. There is regular contact and professional collaboration with local employers to ensure that clients’ work placements are tailored to their individual needs. Employers have a clear understanding of their responsibilities to the clients. They understand clients’ needs, and in some cases allow them to attend internal training courses. Clients’ work placements are in a good range of companies from small employers to national retail chains. Clients have the opportunity to work in areas such as construction, retailing, hospitality and care. Many clients gain jobs as a result of their work placements. For example, a young man who had left the army expressed a wish to move into hairdressing. [The provider] identified a supportive local employer that provided a work placement and, immediately afterwards, a job. The client is now on an apprenticeship programme at this hairdressing salon.

In each of the programme centres there is an employment liaison officer who has very good links with local employers. The officer is involved in the initial welcome session for new clients, ensuring that clients’ individual requirements are identified and links are made with appropriate employers. Employers are complimentary about the readiness of clients for work. Programme Centres demonstrate a positive response to employment trends. They have responded quickly to redundancies at large local employers.

There has been an analysis of local community needs and job opportunities for ESOL clients. [The provider] has developed a wide range of courses which meet the language development and intellectual abilities of individual clients and allow progression for Jobcentre Plus clients. Specific jobs, which harness the skills of bilingual clients and lead to realistic job prospects, have been developed. For example, there is an accredited training course for interpreters and translators and a training course for bilingual teaching support assistants for schools.

There is a wide range of activities designed to enrich the clients’ experience. Some of the activities take place outside the normal hours of attendance. They include visits to local places of interest, sporting activities, and charity events. At the time of the inspection, clients across the centres had organised a sponsored walk in aid of a national children’s charity. Gateway clients have the opportunity to attend either a daily or a residential outdoor pursuits course, depending on their home circumstances. The ESOL provision includes a planned programme of activities which raises the clients’ cultural awareness and helps them to become full members of the community. clients have been taken to football matches, local music events and on shopping trips. They are helped to take additional courses not offered by the provider.