Re-skilling Cornwall

In response to the impact of COVID-19 on the employment landscape, our Careers team delivered the Re-skilling Cornwall employability programme. Funded by the European Social Fund, the programme aimed to facilitate the transition of workers who were affected by COVID-19, especially those over 50 or with a disability, and those looking to return to work after a period of unemployment. In the Cornwall area there were particular challenges faced by people who previously worked in the hospitality, arts, retail and tourism sectors.

The key focus of the programme was to support residents of Cornwall in the following ways:

1. Re-skill or up-skill in order to promptly pivot to new sectors (for example: care, customer services or self-employment)
2. Pro-actively prepare for post-COVID-19 job opportunities (local tourism, training on sanitary measures, hygiene, Health and Safety) through training, confidence building, and skills development. 

Using our existing local partnerships and networks, we identified those individuals who fit the criteria of this project and offered them more specialised support.  This support was delivered via holistic assessments, ongoing 1-2-1 careers and coaching sessions, a wide range of workshops – including sector specific with employer participation, work experience (virtual or physical), and financial support where needed for qualifications, travel or childcare.