Community Learning: Supporting local people into sustainable employment:

Our service offers North Somerset residents (aged 19+) access to informal courses that focus on increasing confidence and self-esteem. Learners are supported to recognise and build on existing skills as well as developing new skills appropriate to their learning and work goals.

Since 2016 we have supported over 300 people into volunteer roles, helped over 700 people find paid employment and enabled over 3,500 to improve their confidence and develop new skills.

We are looking to improve our links with local employers in order to support more people into work.

Is your business able to offer any of the following developmental opportunities?

• Mock interviews
• Advice on writing job applications and covering letters
• Work experience
• Advice on what you as a business look for in an employee

In our experience businesses prepared to offer a chance to people who need a little more support to find employment are often repaid by gaining the most enthused and loyal members of staff.

Quote from a learner who completed a Care Academy (with Community Learning and Weston College) and consequently gained employment with Alliance Living Care:

“I was out of work [and] in debt.  Due to depression, I wasn’t leaving the house much. The Care Academy gave me hope and within days I was leaving the house and making good friends. Hearing that I got a job with Alliance made me so happy – which I hadn’t felt for a long time – but also made me cry tears of joy.  Thank you, Alliance.”