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Gateway Centre and Follow Through
Biscom works with an experienced sub-contractor (JHP Training), to ensure the effective delivery of the Gateway Centre and Follow Through provision. Biscom delivers the Provision in both Birmingham sites, with our Lombard House premises specialising in 18-24 Learners and Chaplin Court offering services to Learners in both 18-24 and 25+ categories. (JHP Training predominantly specialises in 18-24 learners).
The Gateway Centre is delivered for up to 16 weeks and consists of a one week induction delivered over five days for a minimum of four hours per day. The Induction is held in a separate training room and includes a comprehensive initial assessment. This details the needs identified and, supported by any further assessments conducted throughout the week, provides the content for the learner’s action plan. Attendance is planned with the Learner and in some cases may be mandated for 8 hours per week for Gateway or 12 hours per week for Follow Through. This information is also detailed on the Learner Action Plan. Delivery includes a combination of one-to-one support and module delivery. As part of the planned activity we address job search skills, soft skills, key skills and basic skills and this is achieved by a range of group and one-to-one training. Follow Through learners receive a more intense approach to consolidate previous training received and address any outstanding barriers.
Gateway to Work
Biscom delivers Gateway to Work provision for 30 hours per week for two weeks out of both Birmingham sites. The Gateway to Work course is an intensive programme and incorporates the development of communication skills, self presentation, punctuality, time keeping, team working, problem solving and understanding of the qualities, attitudes and behaviours required by employers. A comprehensive initial assessment is conducted and from this a full Action Plan is drawn up.
We meet the needs of young people to enhance employability skills and our range of innovative delivery and one-to-one support ensures learners are challenged throughout the programme. Participants are encouraged to be involved in the planning of all activities and during each course an external outing is planned by the group which incorporates budgeting, planning and presentation skills. As a result of this interaction we achieve significant improvements to learner’s social and interpersonal skills. To support personal and social needs of the most disadvantaged, links to support organisations and mentoring services are utilised. Job search activities are conducted daily and each learner has the services of a personal job matcher who actively arrange interviews for suitable employment. Employers form part of the delivery by giving group presentation, mock interviews and tours of their premises.
IAP Routeway
Biscom provides a package of delivery which is tailor made to address the needs of 25+ option learners and includes occupational training, occupational work placement, soft skill development and job search training. The LGV programme requires all learners to go through a medical prior to commencement on the course as this is a requirement of the licence. All learners receive extensive theory and practical training. Learners go through a comprehensive driving assessment to determine the level of support required to achieve the licence.
The individual Learning Plan details the activities to be undertaken by each learner and varies dependant on assessed training needs. Theory training combined with practical experience in the work place ensures a cohesive approach to the development of occupational knowledge and skills. Participants are provided with a range of work experience opportunities at initial assessment however work experience is restricted until the licence has been achieved. Once in placement all learners have the support of a work place support officer and will receive a weekly review of progress. All learners return in house weekly to continue job search and soft skills training.
Biscom works with companies that are selected for their commitment to the programme, therefore many placement opportunities result in permanent employment.
Work Experience
Biscom delivers the Work experience provision for 30 hours per week for up to 13 weeks. Following the initial assessment participants are booked into an induction and an individual training plan is drawn up. The first two weeks of the programme are designed to prepare participants for the work place and delivery is tailored to address individual needs. Biscom are able to address the more deep seated barriers to employment that commonly occur and this is done through a combination of one-to-one support, group delivery, project work and links with external support agencies. Each learner has a personal job matcher who will secure relevant work experience and employment opportunities. Ideally work placements commence in week three however this may vary depending on the individual needs of each learner. All learners return in house once a week to maintain job search and enhance soft skills.
Biscom offers learners opportunities to access a range of short occupational qualifications that are appropriate to their specific employment goals. These could include Manual Handling, Health & Safety, First Aid or Basic Food Hygiene. In addition to this learners are able to achieve a city and guilds preparation to employment qualification.
Basic Employability Training (BET)
Biscom delivers Basic Skills provision in the City Centre and A4e offers BET provision from their Aston site if demand dictates. Learners are booked onto induction following initial assessment and an individual training plan is drawn up. Tutors deliver group sessions appropriate to all levels of literacy and numeracy. A full diagnostic assessment is conducted within week one .The diagnostic assessment highlights each learner's learning style, specific needs in literacy/numeracy and any potential learning needs such as dyslexia. The individual training plan is produced during week one and forms a crucial part of the learners progression. Once the induction and Individual Learning Plan have been completed each learner will start working towards the objectives set.
With the support of their Job Matcher all learners are encouraged to secure a suitable work placement by week 12, however this varies for each learner depending on their needs. Placement attendance will vary for each learner again depending on the level of basic skills support required. All learners receive a weekly review of progress and those in placement will continue to receive basic skills and job search training weekly. Once learners reach the mid point of the course at 13 weeks they are retested using a different version of the basic skill agency assessment to assess their progress to date. Ongoing support is provided by both the tutor and job matcher which includes links with external agencies who support with overcoming barriers such as drug and alcohol abuse and debt management.
ESOL (English as a Second Language)
Biscom and A4e deliver the ESOL programme for 30 hours per week for up to 26 weeks. Learners with a wide range of language barriers are supported through a full induction which incorporates visual aids and additional assessments to establish the level of support and training required. This support is detailed in the learner’s individual training plan. Tutors adopt a varied range of delivery styles including one-to-one and group discussions, project work, liaison with external agencies, group delivery and family outreach support. Literacy and numeracy training is focused to work place requirement to enhance individuals employability. Participants secure work tasters and placements with the support of their personal Job Matcher. Once learners are on placement they return in house to continue basic skills, soft skills and job search training. ESOL participants are allocated a personal mentor to evaluate their understanding of the process and to provide any additional support needed.
Mentoring
Biscom’s mentoring provision is provided by Connexions. As an experienced provider of mentoring services Connexions believes it is key to establish a relationship of mutual trust and thus help the participant gain confidence, experience, develop his/her skills and increase sustainable employment. Mentoring is provided to address a diverse range of support needed. Employed mentors have a case load of no more than 20 people and mentoring is delivered in the location that is most appropriate to the learner. This could be near the learner’s home, at a venue of their choice such as coffee shops and community centres, placement/employer premises or training premises.
