Amey has collaborated with the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) in Bradford to recruit six new employees via a Sector-Based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs), supporting its ambitions to recruit talent from diverse backgrounds SWAPS provides an opportunity for job seekers to acquire new skills and gain valuable work experience with businesses. The scheme is specifically designed to assist individuals who are currently unemployed to build their confidence, enhance their job prospects, and improve their resumes.
Amey, a provider of critical facilities and asset management services across the public sector, collaborated with the DWP and Blue Apple Training Academy to deliver training to a group of nine candidates in Bradford. The candidates obtained certificates in Cosh (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and manual handling as part of their training. Following this training, the nine candidates participated in a one-week work experience program at Tong School, where they trialled roles of cleaners and caretakers. Since then, six of these candidates have been offered permanent job opportunities.
The programme has proven to be a successful pathway for job seekers to transition into meaningful employment and improve their prospects.
Rihana Sadique, a SWAPS candidate who is now working in Tong School’s Facilities Management team as a domestic assistant, said, “I had a fantastic experience taking part in the programme. I’d never done anything like this before, and so it was a great way for me to understand what the role entails and see if it’s something I’d like to do as a job. I was able to do training sessions and then join the team at Amey to get a taste for the role. The team was so welcoming, it was a wonderful experience and I’m over the moon to have been offered a permanent position with the company.”
Elena Barrasso, Department of Work & Pensions Senior National Account Manager for Amey said:
“SWAPs offer jobseekers the opportunity to gain confidence, upskill and move into employment through hands on experience, and are helping remove barriers so even more people can move into and return to work.
“It was a pleasure to work with everyone involved with this pilot resulting in such positive job outcomes and incredible feedback from participants.”
Amey leaves a positive legacy in the communities in which it operates. It actively enables wider economic inclusion through education, training and engagement programmes including apprenticeships, veterans and ex-offender recruitment programmes. Find out more, here: https://www.amey.co.uk/your-career/