Employment Support for Croydon’s Unemployed Residents (One Croydon Training)

 

Notes from One Croydon training

 
Employment Support Training  Presentations, Notes & Video January 2025 
 
Guest Speakers
 
Gurvinda Doal, Connect to Work
Presentation: https://cvalive.org.uk/assets/documents/employmentsupportconnecttowork
If you have any questions around connect to work, contact gurvinda or Kirsty 
E: Gurvinder.Doal@croydon.gov.uk | Kirsty.hogg@southlondonpartnership.co.uk | Polly.Persechino@southlondonpartnership.co.uk | W: https://southlondonpartnership.co.uk/connect-to-work/
Wendy Lewis, SWL Social Care Workforce Academy Hub
If you are holding Employment Events let us know/send us an invitation.
South West London Workforce Programme focuses on supporting local people into jobs and careers in health and care. The social Care Academy Hub enables collaborative working between social care employers, training providers and employment agencies to support more people into good jobs in the social care sector and help those already working in the sector develop their skills and progress their careers.
This includes working with training providers and employers to tailor and or create new sector specific courses to help fill vacancies with skilled people. Holding recruitment events aimed at underrepresented groups to raise the profile of the social care sector. Working with employment agencies, training providers and employers to offer more sector-based work academy programmes (SWAP’s). For more information go to:
Kirsty Hogg, South London Integration Hub
Hospitality event in Croydon: South London Partnership, NWD Integration Hub is planning a Hospitality Insights Day, supporting south London residents and connecting them with local employers in the hospitality industry and employment support providers on 27th of March at the Palace for Life Foundation at Selhurst Park Stadium between 10am to 3pm . The aim of this is to cater to jobseekers’ needs of interacting with employers in their field of interest and providing those who may have more barriers with on-site employability support should they need it, giving them valuable insights into how they can kickstart their hospitality careers. For more information contact: Shirley Vinda,
Employer Engagement Officer Shirley.Vinda@southlondonpartnership.co.uk
 
Hilary Fertig, Employment Autism
Any questions – E: hilary.fertig@caretrade.org  
Job Seekers Plus is a programme designed for Neurodivergent individuals aged 25 and over in the London area. Places are also available for under 25 without an EHCP. Through Jobseekers Plus, you will gain valuable insights into different types of jobs and develop the skills required to succeed in the workplace. We provide support and guidance to achieve your goals, build confidence, and develop a successful career. We can also support these individuals in the workplace via In Work Support Read more details here or contact
Coaching, training & consultancy in the workplace 
We offer Autism Employment support through job coaching, training and consultancy in the workplace for employees and employers. CareTrade provides in-work support, which is funded by employers or through the government Access to Work scheme, please follow this link for more information about Access to Work funding https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work For more information, please contact us at info@caretradeuk.org
The Autism Project (TAP) is a full-time 2-year employment programme for young autistic people (18-25 years old) where learners attend work experience placements. In 2nd year they develop their interview and job searching skills in weekly careers sessions. Once ready they will begin job searching. How to access this service? We accept consultations from Local Authorities and will support young people and families to apply if they contact us on our website or email admissions@caretradeuk.org All learners are required to have an EHCP in place prior to starting. Any additional support needs should be discussed when applying to ensure the correct support is in place prior to starting. E: admissions@caretradeuk.org | TAP@caretradeuk.org  | Website: http://www.care-trade.org/ 
 
Sam Hanmer, Croydon College
sam.hanmer@croydon.ac.uk | 0208 686 5700 ext 3003 | 07974 480 858
Croydon College Apprenticeships: Apprenticeships are open to all including those who are already employed and those seeking employment or a new career. 
  • For apprentices: Hands-on experience, paid employment, opportunities to gain valuable skills/experience.
  • For employers: An opportunity to retrain/upskill existing staff. Can be adapted to support new staff and recruitment needs.
  • For new entrants: A great way to embark on careers with many routes and opportunities for transferable careers to other sectors.
  • To address local priorities
  • 4 new apprenticeships – L2 Early Years Practitioner, L3 Early Years Educator, L2 Adult Care Worker and L3 Lead Adult Care Worker. These new programmes complement existing programmes in Business Administration, Customer Service, Pensions, Accountancy, Construction, Building Services, Carpentry and many more. Explore our full range and offer here:  Apprenticeships - Croydon College
  • We are developing an employer network to ensure all of our curriculum areas have representation through our Croydon College Skills Forums. In doing this we bring industry and curriculum together to scrutinise our curriculum and to ensure our programmes meet skills needs that employers demand.
  • National Apprenticeships Week Careers Fair - Croydon College
  • Wednesday, February 12 · 10am - 2pm at Croydon College, College Road, Croydon CR9 1DX
  • Join us for the National Apprenticeship Week Careers Fair 2025! Looking to kickstart or advance your career through an apprenticeship? Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to connect with employers from a wide range of industries offering exciting apprenticeship programmes. Whether you’re a student exploring career paths or considering a career change, this event is your gateway to endless possibilities. Meet top companies like PumpServ, Pension Protection Fund, and many more who are eager to help you take the next step in your professional journey. The National Apprenticeship Week Careers Fair is the perfect place to explore your options, network, and secure your future. For more information and to register:
  • National Apprenticeships Week Careers Fair Tickets, Wed, Feb 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite
Dan Dempsey, Senior Employment Advisor, Status Employment
Status Employment works with people who live with long term mental health conditions and disabilities, assisting them to achieve their aspirations and find work.
Croydon Mental health Supported employment service: provides both 1-2-1 and group support to help people identify their skills, strengths and goals to gain and sustainable paid employment.
Eligibility: Mental health difficulties which impact on ability to gain and or sustain employment - Motivated to find employment - Willing and able to engage in employment related activities
One to one support to gain and retain: Paid employment, part, or full time, in real work settings - Self-Employment -Voluntary work, work experience & education as steppingstones to paid employment
Increased employability, life skills and confidence
Self-employment Academy: Offers Croydon residents who have a disability access to our entrepreneur facilitator and self-employment support academy. Participants are offered a mixture of 1-2-1 and group support to grow their initial ideas in to a meaningful business proposition. We support participants to review the skills and competences required to both launch their business and manage their health and wellbeing.
For more information Contact: Warren Trunchion, Service and Contracts Delivery Manager
Virtual Reality in Supported Employment: We work with businesses to create VR videos to support/acclimatise/prepare clients for work.
Anna Yaffe, Outreach Manager, SMART WORKS
Smartworks Career Coaching: 1 hr one to one session online or face to face offering advice on job searching, creating CV, cover letter and application support, suggestions on how clients can develop their workplace skills. Interview preparation: 1 hr dressing session, followed by 1 hour with interview coach (can be online or in person) Second Dressing: A further dressing session (online or in person) supported by their dresser to choose 5 further items of clothing that make up their new capsule wardrobe. Eligibility: Currently unemployed, or on 0 hr contract, aged 16 and over, has confirmed interview, or is looking for support in job search. Please email anna.yaffe@smartworks.org.uk | find our referral form here: https://www.smartworks.org.uk/what-we-do/make-a-referral
Lorraine Freeman, Engagement Advisor – SLP, Ingeus
T: 07587363171 | E: lorfreeman@ingeus.co.uk | W: www.ingeus.co.uk
Ingeus and The South London Partnership launched a brand-new Employment and Skills support programme
Eligibility: 18 plus years old with the right to work in the UK and lives in Croydon (Merton, Sutton, Richmond upon Thames and Kingston) Unemployed: Claiming New Style JSA/Universal Credit - Work Search Regime or Inactive. No qualifying claim period, can be referred from day 1 of claim, or not claiming benefits (Economically Inactive). Motivated to engage. Please note we are unable to take referrals at present as we are on ‘Pause’ whilst we wait to hear if we will be granted an extension/funding for another year. We should be able to provide an update at the end of March regarding referrals. https://www.smartworks.org.uk/what-we-do/make-a-referral
Colin King, Salvation Army Employment Plus team
Working with people who are desperate to work, but who face the biggest barriers to getting work, such as physical and mental health problems, a lack of education or relevant skills, or unaffordable childcare.
Salvation Army’s Employment Plus service supports people into quality work, not just any job. Employment Plus helps people who face the biggest barriers to employment such as a lack of up to-to date skills, those who have been unable to search for work due to health problems, disability, or homelessness
We offer tailored support to help people become job-ready, to get a job and to stay in work. 
As part of this support we can help with local & digital support with access to internet, writing CV's and orientation in another professional areas. This programme functions on Thursdays from 10.30 am – 12.30 pm.
An appointment can be booked by email to Croydon@salvationarmy.org.uk  | colin.king@salvationarmy.org.uk  
 
Farzana Ali, Central London Community Trust We are running a programme called ‘Volunteer to Career’. Please email Farzana.ali9@nhs.net to discuss working together on apprenticeships and employment.
 
CALAT
CALAT Curriculum Departments: Business, Health & Social Care, Child Care, Early Years, Creative Arts, Modern Foreign Languages, Digital Skills, ESOL, English & Maths & Independent Living programme for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities.
Courses are part-time day/evening, some online and run between 10 – 12 weeks. 
There are 3 sites:  Central Croydon Library, Thornton Heath and New Addington
For more information on the courses, enrolment and assessment sessions please visit the CALAT website:  www.calat.ac.uk | Tel: 020 8726 7777. Or contact us the contact link on our website:
Resources 
 
  1. Croydon Simply Connect Directory
  2. You can find out about local services on Simply Connect Croydon. This online directory lists numerous specialist support services. Find ‘organisations  supporting employment in Croydon’ via the CVA website home page www.cvalive.org.uk → Directories Button → Type in Employment
Adding, or amending your activities (for those already listed on the directory) please email your changes to connectwellcroydon@cvalive.org.uk
 
Not listed on the Croydon Simply Connect Directory yet? To add your services you need to complete this online form 
Other useful directories can be found on the home page of the Croydon Voluntary Action website, www.cvalive.org.uk (Homeless Support, Foodbanks, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Autism, Debt Advice Services, Find Activities, Find Organisations)
 
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