Information for Employers

Information for Employers

Employment and Skills Programmes

There are a range of government programmes for employers to get involved in and some of which offer financial incentives for doing so. These programmes are aimed at supporting people from all ages to get back into employment, improve their skills and leave education with the best chance of securing work.

The information below is to help employers decide which programmes may be best suited to their business.

The Gov website also has a list of schemes employers can get involved in.

Training Pathways

Apprenticeships logo

Apprenticeships are key to growing a skilled and competitive workforce that meets the needs of employers and drives business growth. They are real jobs with training, ranging from Intermediate – Degree Level. Through their apprenticeship, apprentices gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills they need for their immediate job and future career.

Find out more about Apprenticeships.

t-levels

T Levels are brand new, two-year courses designed with employers. As the next step after GCSEs, they combine classroom theory, practical learning and a three-month industry placement to give young people the technical skills, knowledge and experience needed to get a job in a skilled profession.

Industry placements give employers an early sight of the new talent coming into your industry. They can help you with recruitment, improve innovation, and increase your organisation’s productivity. They also have important social benefits.

Find out more about T-Levels

Multiply is here to supports adults aged 19+ who do not currently have Level 2/GCSE maths at grade 4 (previously known as a C grade). There are various courses available, both face to face and online.

The courses can help your employees to improve their skills and confidence to help you create a stronger workforce. By gaining new qualifications staff are able to progress in your company.

Find out more here. 

Recruitment Information

GCSE grading has moved from letters to numbers.

GCSE new grading scale: factsheets – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Disability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled employees.

Find out more about Disability Confident Scheme

Disability Worker Rights – It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against anyone with a disability. Protection against disability discrimination can be found within The Equalities Act 2010 which covers the following areas:

  • application forms
  • interview arrangements
  • aptitude or proficiency tests
  • job offers
  • terms of employment, including pay
  • promotion, transfer and training opportunities
  • dismissal or redundancy
  • discipline and grievances.

This Equalities Act covers the Police, armed forces and people on practical work experience, whether paid or unpaid. However some volunteers are excluded from the protection provisions so please seek specialist advice. It also protects those who suffer discrimination because they associate with the disabled, e.g. their carers. This is known as associative discrimination.

www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance

www.gov.uk/rights-disabled-person/employment

www.acas.org.uk/disability-discrimination

There is also information for employers to help retain a current employee who is losing their sight, and help to employ someone who is blind or partially sighted.

www.rnib.org.uk/information-everyday-living/work-and-employment

A online service is available for employers to gain the tools they need to empower and encourage disabled employees and those with health conditions. Any employer can access the service, which provides free advice on how to manage staff who may be in or out of work with a disability or long-term health condition in a user-friendly online Q&A format. Support with employee health and disability – GOV.UK (dwp.gov.uk)

Ofqual have produced an interactive graph to show: what qualifications are available sector areas, the awarding organisation and the qualification title.

Find out more about Ofqual and view graph

Supporting Schools

The Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub brings together schools, colleges, employers, education providers and local agencies to help all schools and colleges deliver high quality careers guidance that inspires and prepares young people for the fast-changing world of work.

If you would like to support the Careers Hub and inspire young people contact your local contact – About Us | SWLEP

Business and Financial Support

Employers Introduction to Universal Credit

  • Universal Credit is one of the most fundamental reforms to the welfare system for more than 60 years
  • it is a key part of a package of welfare reforms supporting a more dynamic and flexible labour market – removing barriers to work, freeing people to get back into and progress in work.
  • the focus of Universal Credit is to make more work pay. It increases the financial benefits of work and provides businesses with a more flexible workforce.

Find out more about Universal Credit 

A collaborative platform, the Growth Hub provides the business community with a connected network to share ideas and information amongst themselves. Through the Growth Hub you can also access direct support through a telephone helpline or, where appropriate, meet face-to-face with an impartial Business Adviser. A lot of the support offered is fully or partly funded.

Find out more about The Growth Hub

The Wiltshire Council website has a business support directory filtered by Large, Medium or Self Employed employer.

Find out more about business support via Wiltshire Council

Aimed at upskilling employees within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Swindon & Wiltshire. It provides recognised accredited qualifications and bespoke training courses to enhance employees’ skills, increase the competitiveness of the business and boost the local economy.

Working with SMEs to develop bespoke training programmes relevant to their needs, this £4m programme is co-funded by the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and contracted out to Serco, supporting the workforce at no extra cost to the business.

Find out more about Serco.

Acas gives employees and employers free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.

Find out more about ACAS.

Facing Redundancy

Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council, and Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub have created three webinars to support those who are facing redundancy. These webinars can help you to support employees who are facing redundancy. Each webinar follows a specific theme with qualified professionals from local organisation  sharing advice and support that will help you navigate the journey back to employment.

Each webinar is FREE to watch and will include links to further advice and support.

Serco Skills Support for Redundancy – Individuals made redundant in the last 3 months, or who are facing the risk of redundancy can access training and careers guidance to support them back into employment.

Find out more about Serco.

Employee Well Being

Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support for people who have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition. Support can be provided where someone needs help or adaptations beyond reasonable adjustments.

An Access to Work grant can pay for practical support to help your employee stay in work, or to support you if you are self-employed. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not covered by Access to Work and there is a different service in Northern Ireland.

Find out more about Access to Work.

Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. The Every Mind Matters campaign have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Find out more about the campaign. 

Covenants and Schemes

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly.
The covenant’s twin underlying principles are that members of the armed forces community should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services; and that special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given the most such as the injured or the bereaved. As an employer you can sign the covenant to become a forces friendly employer.

Find out more about the covenant.

The Care Leaver Covenant (CLC) is part of the government’s keep on caring strategy to support people leaving care to become independent.
It allows public, private and voluntary sector organisations to pledge support, including:
• apprenticeships
• work experience
• free or discounted goods and services
• All support given through CLC will help care leavers to make a transition to independence. This ranges from CV training to accommodation for care leavers in higher education.
Every care leaver has a personal adviser who can provide information on CLC offers.
CLC complements the offers that local authorities make to care leavers, Wiltshire Council care leaver promise can be found on Wiltshire Council website.

Find out more about the covenant.

Youth Employment UK works with employers and organisations of all sizes and sectors who are committed to helping young people fulfil their potential.

Find out more about the charter.

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