Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepared for it today

Malcolm X

Skills Support for the Unemployed

Skills Support for the Unemployed offers a flexible programme of employability and skills training, which is tailored to your needs. It has been specifically designed for people who are out of work to help you meet and overcome the challenges you may face when looking for employment, an Apprenticeship or self-employment.

What can you expect from this funding?
Support vary depending on your area, but will include:

The training will be tailored to your needs, and you will receive support from the very first day to help you overcome any difficulties you might face.

What can you do next?
The courses are designed to help you move into employment, an Apprenticeship or self-employment. If you wish to develop further skills or require training, we offer a wide range of courses, or we will signpost you onto relevant support and mainstream programmes.

Are you eligible?
Candidates are eligible for these training programmes if they are unemployed (any length of unemployment), Inactive in the labour market and aged 16 and above.

Skills Support for the Workplace

The Skills Support for the Workforce programme is designed to deliver responsive workplace learning courses to meet individual, employer and regional economic needs.

By up-skilling the workforce, the Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) programme aims to reduce the risk of long-term unemployment and enhance employee skills and career prospects.

The SSW programme is fully funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and co-financed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), but employees must have been granted the time to participate and complete their agreed programme of learning.

What SSW can offer to your business

Business Benefits

Employee Benefits

Traineeships

A Traineeship is a training programme designed to prepare you for your future career, helping you to get ready for the world of work and improve your chances of getting an Apprenticeship or other employment by providing the essential work preparation training, English, Maths and work experience needed. LifeSKILLS can help you every step of the way.

A traineeship has three core elements:

What are the benefits of a Traineeship?
Traineeships give you the opportunity to build your CV and get vital experience with local and national employers.

Improving your English and maths skills will boost your chances of getting a job, as well as improving your long-term prospects and earning potential over your lifetime

Employers are at the centre of Traineeships to ensure they give you the skills you need to secure a job and succeed in employment

Above all you will have gained valuable experience and skills needed within the working environment giving you increased confidence in your ability.

You are suitable for a Traineeship if you meet the following criteria:

Traineeships are an ideal opportunity for young people who are motivated to get a job but may lack the skills and experience that employers are looking for. If you have been unsuccessful when applying for Apprenticeships or jobs, then a Traineeship might be for you.

Traineeships: overview for employers The flexibility of traineeships offers employers the opportunity to help build a pool of high-quality future recruits for their sector.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship combines studying with on-the-job training; it provides the opportunity to develop practical skills, earn a wage and work towards nationally recognised qualifications.

Levels of apprenticeship
Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels

Name
Level
Equivalent educational level
Intermediate
2
GCSE
Advanced
3
A level
Higher
4,5,6 and 7
Foundation degree and above
Degree
6 and 7
Bachelor’s or master’s degree

Anyone aged over 16, living in England and not in full-time education can become an apprentice.

Apprenticeship training is a great way to start building a career; get back into work after a break, or to upskill in your current job to get a promotion.

There will be no cost to you as an apprentice for your training - in fact, you earn a wage when you are in the workplace!

LifeSKILLS specialise in the following sectors: