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.

Full Time Education Training (FTET)
The Full Time Education and Training option provides learners with the opportunity to achieve a recognised qualification. Biscom delivers Retail, Business Administraton, Manufacturing and Basic Skills. JHP delivers all other sectors. All FTET provision ranges from 6 to 26 weeks for 30 hours per week.

Biscom and JHP provide an extensive programme of support that includes the achievement of a specific qualification, occupational training, soft skills development and job search support. Utilising the findings of the initial assessment each learner has an individual learning plan. Learners access a range of work placements to support the achievement of their qualification and both Biscom and JHP have an extensive database of employers to provide local opportunities. Participants return in house to continue development of job search and soft skills.
Basic skills learners are targeted to achieve the appropriate literacy and /or numeracy City and Guilds/OCR qualification. In addition to the basic skills assessment basic skills learners have full diagnostic assessments conducted within week one .The diagnostic assessment highlights each learners learning style, specific needs in literacy/numeracy and any potential learning needs such as dyslexia. 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.

Voluntary Sector Option (VSO)
Biscom (Lombard House premises only) and Jericho Community Partnership deliver this Provision. We are both experienced in the delivery of this programme and offer established links with voluntary, charitable and private organisations. Prior to commencing training the learner has discussed and reviewed the range of suitable work placements available and selected an appropriate match. Learners attend interviews for suitable work placements once individual needs have been identified. Learners follow a programme, which combines structured job search, soft skills development and work experience for a minimum of 30 hours per week for up to 13 weeks. All learners attend a five day induction during which time an individual training plan will be produced. The range of activities varies depending on learners needs to provide an individually tailored programme. Learners are in daily contact with staff during the initial weeks on placement and job search activity will progressively increase from week nine to ensure learner secure sustainable employment following the option. All learners are reviewed throughout the programme to identify distance travelled and review objectives set.

Environmental Task Force (ETF)
This provision is fulfilled through our sub-contractor Sencia who offer a combination of job search, high quality work projects and job placements which consist of activities that deliver benefits to local communities in line with governments social policies and objectives. The aim of the programme is to improve the employability of participants, support participants into sustained employment and deliver environmental benefits. TNG has identified and has available a wide range of projects and placements and these will be discussed with learners during Initial Assessment. Learners attend a full induction for five days over 30 hours during which time an individual training plan is drawn up. In week two learners commence on placement. Job search is an integral element of the programme, equivalent to one day per week. Training delivered leads, where possible, to a recognised certificate designed to improve the employability of the participant. Projects and placements are linked to the labour market and available across the district. All participants are reviewed throughout the programme against their individual training plan.

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.