ENGAGEMENT WITH EMPLOYERS Presented by Maxine Bennett Milton Keynes College Deputy Director Innovation & Development Anne Marie Conlon-Taylor Head of Employer Engagement

WHY DOES YOUR EMPLOYER EMPLOY STAFF? . . . . A win-win situation!

WHAT ARE THE SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES YOUR EMPLOYER EXPECTS YOU TO HAVE?

The 4 As to becoming an Employment Academy Learner: Ability Attitude Attendance Achievement

WHAT IS OUR APPROACH TO ENGAGING EMPLOYERS How the Milton Keynes College Employment Academy works Together we work on the vision of Transforming Lives through Reducing Re-Offending By Delivering qualifications appropriate to the learner’s journey and progression Developing employer links and establishing employer engagement Working with all partners to progress the learner towards their future

THE CONTEXT IN WHICH WE WORK IS COMPLEX

Partners in the Route to Employment Education OLASS Provision Role is to provide vocational & non vocational courses under the OLASS 4 provision. ( Offender Learning and Skills Service) OLASS 4 key driver Qualifications will include vocational areas as well as English & Maths Similar to a mini FE College NCS NCS- National Careers Service Have a contract to deliver careers advice and guidance in the prison environment which will include CV’s, Disclosure, and Job search CRC- Resettlement CRC-This is the private arm of the probation service and works in a CPA ( Contract Package Area) When everyone leaves prison they are on probation (unless they are high risk) 0-12months now also on probation. The CRC’s have to address the 7 pathways:- Housing, Employment, Family, Mental Health, Education, Drugs & Alcohol. CRCs carry out Basic Screening test 2. BS2 will identify the longer term needs of the prisoner.

What is an Employment Academy and why do they work? A progression framework which is valued by all partners especially prisoners A real partnership approach with all partners being involved: Milton Keynes College, Prison Resettlement, National Careers Service, Community Rehabilitation Companies, Voluntary Organisations, other support organisations The employer helps to inform the curriculum and often delivers alongside the OLASS Provision The employer comes into prison and carries out interviews before the prisoner is released

A prisoner’s journey – the Academy model Prison Induction which will include an Education Induction, NCS Interview and CRC Induction Referrals will take place to Education, Work within the prison. CRCs will refer to the resettlement pathways (BS2) Length of Sentence Prisoner will attend either Education and/or Work English and maths May also attend treatment programme dependant upon sentence Resettlement Prisoner will be transferred to local prison for resettlement to take place CRC will be involved in resettlement plans and through the gate support Through the Gate Prisoner will be supported by CRC Promote Employment Academy & Progression Routes Identify suitable learners for Employment Academy Level 2 vocational training & identify suitable employer for interview Work in partnership to support according to individual needs

IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER: THE NATURE OF INDUSTRY & THE METHODS OF RECRUITMENT

WHAT WE THINK EMPLOYERS WANT IS NOT WHAT THEY ACTUALLY WANT Let’s look at HMP Winchester & Whitbread. . .

HOSPITALITY & CATERING HMP WINCHESTER HOSPITALITY & CATERING NCS Education Induction Allocation Prison Induction Education PARTNERS MK College OLASS NCFE Customer Service Level 2 NCFE Job Search NCFE Retail (optional) Functional Skills Maths L1 Functional Skills English L1 NCFE Hospitality & Catering Principles Level 2 HMPS RSPH Level 2 Food Safety in Catering RSPH Level 2 Food Safety in Retail Maths and English Entry 3 MK College Job Deal Employment in Main Prison Kitchen C&G Culinary Skills NVQ 1 Employer Academy Selection Employer Employer

HMP WINCHESTER The Whitbread Model Recruitment Induction PRISON KITCHEN 26 Learners in prison kitchen 8 to be Academy undertaking L2 Hospitality & Catering Education input English Maths L2 Hospitality & Catering Employability Whitbread Job

Lets talk about HMP Nottingham – GI Group - Boots

ANY QUESTIONS?