Project: Initial Steps at Intraining, Hull

Following different paths to employability

Initial Steps is a six-week programme, run in conjunction with Jobcentre Plus, aimed at raising confidence and improving the employability of participants some distance from the labour market as a result of personal or practical barriers. Its one-to-one, intensive approach is seen as a stage on the way to employment, with onward routes from Initial Steps including further training or more specialist support as well as directly into work.

Project feature

InTraining delivers Initial Steps through twelve subcontractors throughout north east Yorkshire and The Humber. The Initial Steps programme, run in conjunction with Jobcentre Plus, is a six-week programme that aims to raise the confidence and improve employability of its participants. All participants are dealt with on a 1:1 basis, during which both personal and practical barriers (often in combination) are addressed. Intended outcomes are centred on improved confidence and progression towards the labour market. Initial Steps recognises that some participants may require more support than can be given in the six week programme, therefore in certain circumstances (subject to the participant following a clear action plan) the provision can be extended to 13 weeks. The main aim of the programme is to secure progression employment or alternatively further training suited to their abilities. InTraining works alongside Working Links, referring 30% of their customers to the Employment Skills and Vocational Routeway programme, which is delivered by Working Links and can provide more specific skills training such as Fork Lift Truck Training.

As mentioned earlier, Initial Steps is designed to remove barriers and help people progress forward in whatever way is appropriate to their situation with the aim that this will lead to sustainable employment. Tasked with getting 20% of starts into work, the economic downturn has made this significantly more challenging. Newly redundant people may have more skills and experience than the participants on Initial Steps and are often more 'job ready', making it harder for Initial Steps participants to find work. Whilst working with participants that require a lot of support to overcome multiple barriers, Initial Steps stresses the need to measure at least some of its success by intermediate steps on the way to employment. InTraining also uses a range of subcontractors, such as MIND and Compass which can add extra dimensions to the participant's experience. Local knowledge and contacts are very important in providing the best possible support.

Contact details

Ron Morgan, Partnership Manager
InTraining (ESD) Ltd.
Suite S, Shirethorn House, Spencer Street, Hull, HU2 8PX
07794 215329
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