Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Who we are? A training consultancy for front line environmental staff

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions What do we do? Find Government and college funding to train your staff at no cost Provide a free recruitment service for apprentices and seasonal staff Secure Government grants for you for people you employ Source work placements for you ( Traineeships)

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Case Study 1 Agreed with Torbay Council the number of vacancies for seasonal staff (26 weeks )Determined terms and conditions Sourced year olds from: Work programmes, job centres and charities Placed interested people on an employability course (include cleaning principles, sharps handling, getting on at work (Level 1 City & Guilds) and numeracy and literacy tests Set up interview schedules for Managers.

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Case Study 1 - Outcome Seasonal staff recruited as Beach Attendants

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Case Study 2 Sefton wanted less time on admin BUT the right people Sefton wanted to support local unemployed people into work. Sefton wanted people to be keen and have related training Sefton wanted basic numeracy and literacy standards Access to Government Funding.

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Case Study 2- Outcome Run the programme for four consecutive years. Over 30 apprentices. Seventy Percent completion rate. Spent less time on admin and recruitment

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Barrier Buster My council want to pay the national minimum wage not the national apprenticeship wage No problem How quickly can I recruit? 6-8 weeks from your green light Is there a minimum number you require? 4 people in one area We can’t guarantee full time jobs at the end They gain qualifications, work experience and a reference

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Advantages of the Programme Advantages of the programme Addresses succession Recruits unemployed young people in your area Reduces admin burden Access to Gov grants Provides better trained people Provides people with better numeracy and literacy ability Salary starts low but increases to reflect skills

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Challenges of the Programme Challenges of the programme Identifying the correct people Recuits unemployed people who need to understand the work ethic Can increase mentoring & support time at the start Access to the grant programme can be complex The politics of the JCP v Work Programmes People who are skilled up can leave easier Salary starts low but can reduce applicants

Growing People ACORN Environmental Solutions Growing People For more information contact: David Smith Managing Director ACORN Environmental Solutions