Recruitment & Training
Gateway to London have teamed up with partners that include the London Development Agency, Learning and Skills Council London East and Business Link London, amongst others to deliver a fully integrated service package that provides information on business support and finance, an impressive and comprehensive database of sites and premises and a considerable focus on the importance of local skills and workforce training as part of the business offer. With this wealth of expertise and a growing population of two million available to draw on, companies locating in London Thames Gateway will have access to a widely experienced, multi-cultural and increasingly advanced, skilled workforce. Detailed below are some of the recruitment and training initiatives available.
Apprenticeship Plus
Apprenticeship Plus provides SMEs in England, Scotland and Wales with a cost efficient, straightforward and risk free way to hire apprentices. Working Links a public/private voluntary partnership formed by the Governments' Shareholder Executive, Manpower and Capgemini; recruits and employs apprentices and on hires them to host SME employers while they undertake their training. Working LLInks manages and records the apprentices' training (including any off the job training with FE colleges and other providers), provides pre-employment and employability skills and one-on-one mentoring, takes responsibilty for the administration associated with the apprenticeship, and rotates the apprentice from employer to emplyer, to ensure that each apprentice receives a broad range of training and expertise, and that each employer gets a suitable apprentice.
The Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME)
CEME aims to encourage a diverse, socially inclusive, innovative range of learning activities that build on the engineering, manufacturing and business capability in the Thames Gateway. Businesses in the Thames Gateway are reaping the benefits of cutting-edge facilities, gaining access to leading research and development and training courses, as well as taking advantage of a new, highly-skilled workforce. Professional teaching staff carry out tailored training programmes designed to suit the needs of the area’s small and medium sized businesses, as well as local residents. The centre also focuses attention on supporting personnel training for middle management and specialist engineering levels.
www.ceme.co.uk
Gateway for Business
The Gateway for Business Centre offers a free comprehensive range of support services to small and medium sized businessesin the Manufacturing, Technology, Engineering, Construction and Logistics industries in Barking, Degenham and Havering.
Based at CEME in Rainham, the Centre is the first of its kind in the industrial areas south of the A13 and provides practical help and support to maintain and grow businesses in the areas of:
- Strategic Support
- Business Planning
- Access to Finance/Funding
- Marketing & Sales
- Research & Development
- HR & Training
- Property & Premises
- Process improvement
The Centre is managed and operated by a qualified team of advisors. This new centre co-ordinates and brokers all of the public funded support to businesses in the local area, including the London Development Agency, Business Link for London, Chambers of Commerce and Local Authority support and as such the services it provides are predominantley free of charge or in many cases heavily discounted.
www.gatewayforbusiness.co.uk
Greenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB)
GLLaB is set up and run by Greenwich Council. Its services are available to all residents and businesses within the Borough and include recruitment/job matching, training, personal development, advice, guidance and New Deal Provision.
GLLaB is working with developers, contractors & employers to identify job and business opportunities. They also work with training companies, universities and colleges to develop training courses which will enable local people to gain relevant skills for future job opportunities.
www.greenwich.gov.uk/greenwich/working/gllab
New Deal
The Government’s New Deal scheme offers financial help to businesses to employ and develop the potential of unemployed people. New Deal employees are paid in the same way and at the same rate as any other employee, with New Deal providing a subsidy for up to six months towards their wages and training costs.
www.newdeal.gov.uk
Skillsmatch
Skillsmatch is the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ job brokerage initiative. In conjunction with partners, Skillsmatch plan and customise short term training which responds to employment trends and growth areas.
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/data/jobs/data/skillsmatch.cfm
Train to Gain
Train to Gain is a national Government service administered by the Learning & Skills Council (LSC) to provide employers of all sizes and sectors with independant advice and support to improve the skills of their employees. Employers are appointed a skills broker to identify the required skills, training and training providers, construct a tailored training package, and assist with accessing potential funding or subsidies. Train to Gain brokerage services in east London are delivered by Prevista Ltd, under contract to LSC.
www.traintogain.gov.uk
University of Greenwich Business & Community Unit
The University of Greenwich provides a valuable resource to businesses based in the London Thames Gateway area, through their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. They can also offer wider services such as:
- Short term projects including the STEP programme
- Student placements (for up to 12 months)
- Part time and temporary employment
- Graduate recruitment
- Recruitment services
- Training & Consultancy for businesses
