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

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

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

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

5. 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

6. THE CONTEXT IN WHICH WE WORK IS COMPLEX

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Lets talk about HMP Nottingham – GI Group - Boots

15. ANY QUESTIONS?