St Helens Chamber

‘Work Ready – Chamber Approved’

Kath BoullenChief Executive

Why did we get involved

• Chamber of Commerce with 1,100 Members

• SFA and EFA contracts

• 400 Apprentices

• Business Feedback

- Survey of 100

- Continuous Feedback• St Helens Council support

What were businesses saying

• Young people not prepared for interview/work- don’t turn up

- no research on company

- poor presentation/interview skills

- poor understanding of what employers

expect

- they wanted us as their Chamber to sort

this out!

‘Work Ready – Chamber Approved’

• A ‘stamp of approval’ only given when we feel they are interviewable/employable

• Open Day; Interview; assessment

• 3 week commitment (minimum)

- Unpaid

- Full-time 9–5, 5 days per week

- Dress and behave for work

Content

• Classroom based

• Focus on interview and employability

• Level 1 in Employability (ASDAN)

• Health & Safety at Work - Level 1 (Ascentis)

• Personal Finance - Level 1 (Ascentis)• Work Experience

Follow-Up

• Job Matching

• ‘Meet the Apprentice’/’Meet the Employer’

• Continued support for as long as it takes

• Work Experience Placements• Functional Skills sessions

Results

September – January 99 young people

• 44 into an Apprenticeship

• 13 into a job

• 5 into FE/Training

• 9 dropped out• 28 ‘Work Ready – Chamber Approved’

and still working with us

Lessons Learned

• Businesses create Apprenticeships if we have ‘Work Ready’ young people

• Young people are committed and keen

• They respect and enjoy a real business environment

• They are choosey !• Essential to have good staff to guide

them• Highly praised by Ofsted• Young people go on word of mouth

“Just thought I would email you and tell you how much I’m enjoying my job. I love it and loved it even more on Thursday when I got paid. Thank you for all the help you gave me and I will come back and see you soon”

Connor, February 2013