HSDC is proud to share that a significant number of students have secured full-time positions following their participation in the Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs).
SWAPs are a government-backed initiative to give jobseekers the opportunity to retrain and re-enter the workforce. They partner work-ready learners with a business, Jobcentre Plus and a training provider, giving them the chance to build job-specific skills and confidence before attending a guaranteed interview.
The 3-day SWAPs are delivered by HSDC to support its adult learners in gaining recognised qualifications in customer service and retail knowledge, allowing them to re-enter the workforce in the retail sector.
The SWAPs provided by HSDC focus on building practical knowledge and confidence for the workplace, covering a number of key topics including ‘Understanding the Retail Supply Chain’ and ‘How to Deliver Excellent Customer Service’.
HSDC is proud to have partnered with Smyths Toys for the SWAP programmes and was visited by Branch Manager Melanie for an overview of the various roles available at Smyths and what it’s like to work there. Melanie was joined by Angie from Portsmouth Job Centre, who was crucial in coordinating the programme and supporting the students throughout.
Overall, 21 learners were interviewed by Smyths, providing them with vital life experiences and information for their career plans. Out of the 21 learners interviewed, 13 were offered positions at Smyths, a truly fantastic result!
Kate Dean, Partnership Coordinator at HSDC was incredibly proud of all of the learners interviewed, saying:
“We were thrilled to see so many of our students go on to secure jobs with Smyths Toys. It’s a fantastic result that highlights the outstanding teaching and the dedicated effort everyone put in. A big thank you to Melanie at Smyths Toys for being involved and giving SWAP participants this opportunity, and to Angie and the team at Portsmouth Job Centre for helping to promote it to local jobseekers.”
HSDC is very proud of its commitment to retraining and supporting those currently out of work, and wishes these learners all the very best in their new roles! These SWAP programmes are yet another example of HSDC actively playing a crucial role in getting the College’s learners into work.