Celebrating Success
The Leicestershire Employment Hub is an ESF Funded project which was established in 2018 to help small to medium sized businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire with free and impartial recruitment support.
The project has been operating through a partnership including Leicester City Council, Leicester College, North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Loughborough College, Stevenson College, Loughborough College, Leicestershire Education Business Company and
The University of Leicester.
In 2020 the partnership changed to include Leicestershire County Council, De Montfort University, The Prince’s Trust and Futures for Business.
Kickstart scheme
In response the Government launched the National Kickstart Programme in Autumn 2020, which aimed to support 16–24-year-olds back to work, incentivising employers with full salary and training costs for six months.
Local authorities created placements across several departments including. Business administration, marketing, video production, teaching support, manual operatives, craft gardeners, outdoor rangers, trainee roadworkers.
Onsite Construction Hub
A recruitment solution based on employer feedback, to provide local construction employers with a pool of site-ready individuals. It delivers a tailored training programme at our purpose-designed Ashton Green construction training site.
Individuals complete site health and safety training, gaining a CSCS card, and are matched to suitable opportunities for a work trial or onsite work experience with a recruiting employer.
Care sector
The project has maintained a strong focus on the Social care sector, supporting employers with recruitment and helping job seekers into work.
We have created web content and run events aiming to raise the perceptions of careers within social care, attract people from outside the sector to consider a career in care, and provide an opportunity for local providers to recruit new staff.
Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony
The annual apprentice’s graduation ceremony was first delivered as an event in June 2015 following a grant from the Association of Colleges.
These ceremonies enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they richly deserve, driving up qualityand encouraging others to get involved. The events are widely praised and greatly valued by family members and employers who attend.
DJ’s Groom Room & Sandra May’s Hair Studio
Salon owner Sandra Potts has supported the Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony since it started in 2015.
During this time her staff have attended almost every ceremony to graduate at levels 2, 3 and 4.
This year Millie Wood-Songhurst graduated her level 2 in hairdressing and was awarded Apprentice of the Year for 2023.
Local Partners – Sensational Vibes
The Employment Hub has built links in the local community and has worked in partnership with organisations such as Sensational Vibes.
Sensational Vibes is a Youth and Community Development Group, supporting young people to fulfil their potential and develop confidence, self esteem and creative skills, helping them to improve their lives.
