Supporting people whose jobs have been impacted by Covid-19.
The SELEP COVID-19 Recovery Funds Programme is a £4.4m programme of support in the areas of business support and skills. It will be used to support the recovery of the economy in 2021, investing directly in those areas across the South East most affected by the pandemic, and providing businesses and individuals with the tools they need to build back stronger.
Further funding has been provided by Essex County Council.
About the Covid-19 Recovery Academy
What is it?
The Covid-19 Recovery Academy is a four-week intensive training and skills programme for 1002 people who are recently unemployed or redundant due the impact of Covid-19.
Who is it aimed at?
Evidence shows that disadvantaged areas, low paid workforce and ethnic minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19. Sectors hardest hit include non-food retail and hospitality/tourism.
What is the criteria?
Individuals must be based in the South East Local Enterprise Partnership geography of: East Sussex, Essex, Kent, Medway, Southend and Thurrock – and have a clear need for training to upskill and reskill that will help them to secure employment in priority sectors.
Individuals will be unemployed or economically inactive.
How can users be referred?
A dedicated web page can support referrals online, individuals can also be referred locally through Job Centres, local authorities and other key stakeholders. Visit the dedicated Shaw Trust Covid-19 Recovery Academy webpage here.
Referral pathways include:
- self-referrals;
- existing employability programmes e.g. JETS, National Careers Service (NCS); and
- referral partners including 34 Jobcentres Local Authorities and Local Partners e.g. Family Mosaic.
We will accept referrals from across the regions, however to make the biggest impact we will be targeting specific areas/cities/towns/groups most affected by Covid-19.
How will end users be identified?
We will engage/reach target groups, e.g. unemployed people who have worked in impacted sectors such as retail or hospitality through local marketing, digital marketing campaigns and skills shows.
There will be added value to complementary Shaw Trust programmes such as the Work and Health Programme (WHP), Job Entry Targeted Support (JETS), National Careers Service (NCS) and integration with local programmes such as Live Well Kent and support providers like the Princes Trust, creating a reciprocal referral relationship for those needing additional/alternative support and therefore avoiding duplication.
What will it cover?
We have designed the academy to support individuals to learn new skills and achieve industry relevant qualifications and to move into employment within key growth sectors.
The academy will offer a tailored programme of courses reflecting the recruitment requirements of employers across the SELEP region.
The academies will be staffed by a dedicated team providing person-centred and holistic learning, employment, and wellbeing support to the individuals.
Training will be delivered digitally through e-learning platform Skills Network combined with live classroom teaching over Microsoft Teams. There will also be face-to-face training across nine fixed sites and a further 19 established co-location sites with strong public transport links, ensuring equitable geographic coverage and access across SELEP.
Part of Shaw Trust's Academies
The Covid-19 Recovery Academy joins the Shaw Trust Construction and Care Academies to support people whose jobs have been impacted by Covid-19.