We know how important it is for businesses to be able to access the skills and talent they need to drive their business forward. This is why we're working with skills and education providers across the borough, from senior schools to higher education facilities, to make sure that their curriculums support the skills our local businesses need.
Through this work, we have access to a range of talent pools, support services and programmes that can help you to access the skills you need – some of which are designed to deliver short term solutions, but others will require a longer-term commitment from you to inspire people into your sector, industry or business. For example, this includes the organisation of regular careers and jobs fairs to support advertising your job vacancies.
We deliver a range of projects and programmes to support businesses access the talent you need, including:
The Advice Store is a Basildon Council funded initiative which has seen an empty shop unit refurbished and repaired with the sole purpose of improving social mobility and promoting inclusive economic growth to local residents. The objective is to make all employability and skills provision accessible all under the same roof – which isn’t a typical government building, council or jobcentre – where residents can walk-in as they do their shopping, without any mandatory obligation to.
The Advice Store provides a free space for training providers, skill agencies and charitable organisations to collaborate within the same setting, to better serve the residents they hope to move in to or closer to the labour market. This is done through cross-referrals from providers, all adopting the same ethos to do what’s right for the individual, and best match them to a provider who can best meet their needs. Visit the council website for further details or follow them on Facebook for regular updates.
The Basildon Skills Show is an annual careers fair to inspire young people, and help them to make informed decisions about their future. Aimed at young people aged 14-18 and their parents, visitors have the opportunity to meet with exhibitors from a wide range of sectors, universities and colleges, and sixth forms with many interactive stall activities. Attendees can also book a session to speak to a careers adviser, and participate in workshops and talks.
The Next Generation Champions programme helps employers and employees to engage with local primary and secondary schools, colleges and sixth forms as well as university provision - bringing lessons and education to life across the borough. We are looking for local people who live or work in the borough to help inspire the next working generation; from all jobs roles, whether you are self-employed, in construction, care, manufacturing, finance, hospitality, leisure, retail, or in a creative, science or digital related role. As long as you are passionate about supporting local young people we want to hear from you.
Meeting people from the local workplace can have a huge impact on the outcomes for young people which is why we need you! It has been proven that introducing young people to role models from the workplace has a positive impact on young people's future employment and earning potential. Research highlights young people who receive four or more meaningful encounters with employers are 25% less like to become NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) and earn on average 15% more than peers who did not receive any employer encounters.
Once signed up, Next Generation Champions will be informed about the activities taking place in local schools and colleges that they can take part in through a coordinated monthly email. Activities may include mock interview days, careers fairs, inspirational talks, and work experience. If you are interested in taking part or would like more information, please contact skills@basildon.gov.uk
If you are interested in making a difference you can also become an Enterprise Adviser within a secondary school or college, to support them in the development and implementation of their careers strategy ensuring all students are prepared and inspired for the fast-changing world of work.
The EA will be matched and introduced to a school or college by their local Enterprise Coordinator. Working with the Careers Leader and wider senior leaders of the school or college, EAs help to build connections between employers and education to improve young people’s career prospects. Enterprise Advisers provide valuable employer perspective to the Careers Leaders, as well as supporting the integration of careers in the school or college’s wider curriculum, putting opportunities with local employers at the heart of a young person’s education.
Becoming an Enterprise Adviser is an extremely rewarding role, if you would like to find out more email skills@basildon.gov.uk.
When recruitment opportunities are delivered as a result of working with the council in partnership or via a contract, we ask that the company contacts us so that we can help promote the vacancy to suitable local candidates and address any skills gaps.
