Mayor welcomes training course which will boost staffing

A fast-track training package has been launched in a partnership between the Trust and Sandwell College which will help to boost employment.

West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street visited Learning Works to find out more about the Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), which runs for a three-week period. He met with candidates who had already been trained as ward services officers and was impressed with what he saw.

“The SWAP programme helps get people into work through a training course that is short and sharp and helps people get into those jobs very quickly,” said Andy.

“It was brilliant to meet some of the people that are now going into work with help from the new scheme.”

SWAP aims to provide individuals an alternative pathway to other popular professions within the NHS.

The Trust’s Chairman, Sir David Nicholson said: “The Learning Works is based in the heart of our community and prides itself in how it offers a variety of opportunities to the people of Sandwell and West Birmingham by working with local employers.”

Part of the training includes showing students how to carry out food service duties which involves reading and understanding patient menus and serving meals. They will also be trained in customer service, health and safety, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), communication skills and infection control awareness to enhance their skills.

Simon Griffiths, Executive Director of Strategy and Development at Sandwell College, said: “We are delighted to be working in a close delivery partnership with the Trust and to play a critical role in ensuring local residents can access jobs and careers with such an important and well recognised employer. Sector-based work academy programmes are just one of the many ways Sandwell College helps the adults in our local communities to gain employment, learning new skills and achieve qualifications. It is important that as Sandwell's college, we strengthen a local workforce and encourage more businesses to think about the benefits of working with, and training-up, people from our diverse communities.”

The exciting three-week training course started on 19 June and is free to all unemployed residents over the age of 19 living in the West Midlands Combined Authority area (WMCA).