Skills and Opportunities
A core part of this transformation programme is centred on opening up opportunities for local people and providing skills training.
We work closely with our development partners to provide opportunities for people to gain the skills and qualifications needed to be successful in obtaining jobs and careers in construction and STEM industries.
Working with local schools
Our regeneration programme is making Stevenage Even Better by transforming and creating a 21st Century New Town. Involving young people is a key priority, helping them to understand the opportunities that the programme offers to them.
Our School Engagement Programme aims to enthuse, engage and inspire local school children and provide them with a greater understanding of regeneration and the wide range of opportunities it presents for their future.
As Stevenage continues to enhance its reputation for Life Science and in the STEM sectors, we are working with local schools to highlight these opportunities and to enable children to get involved and have their say on the future of the town.
Through school collaboration, surveys, assemblies, tours, competitions and creative challenges, pupils of all ages can enjoy a range of fun, age-appropriate learning opportunities. If you would like further information, please email regeneration@stevenage.gov.uk
Stevenage Works
We are driving private sector investment, ensuring our town has the space to support small business development, skills and jobs. This includes the opportunity for our residents to gain experience in the construction industry. Stevenage Works is a well-established job and training hub managed by Stevenage Borough Council in partnership with a wide range of businesses. Stevenage Works raises awareness of local jobs available in local businesses for local people, providing a free recruitment service along with training courses and apprenticeships, to local people and residents of all ages and experience levels. This has been possible through working with Job Centre Plus and North Herts College together with Oaklands College, Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and TrAC (A non-profit shared apprenticeship service), along with local employers.
There are a number of ways that people can find out further information about the opportunities available to them, including through the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP). This is the premier gateway in Hertfordshire for Students, career explorers and employers to explore career opportunities and access advice and guidance on jobs, qualifications and apprenticeships via one single portal. You can find out more:
Biz4Biz, who provide business networking, marketing, advice and sustainability support for SMEs in the East of England, have recently launched a new Careers Guidance App that acts as a starting point for us all to establish the career pathway we would like to follow. Read more here:
CASE STUDY Hart Learning & Development with Marks & Spencers
Hart Learning & Development’s collaboration with Marks & Spencer (M&S) has helped launch the retail careers of local people in Hertfordshire through the Marks & Spencer’s Employability Programme.
The bespoke Employability Programme was designed and launched ahead of he new M&S superstore opening in Stevenage back in April 2022. The programme is designed to teach local people about the core M&S brand values and prepare them for a successful career in a retail environment.
Since the programme’s initial launch in January 2022, Hart Learning & Development have delivered three courses which have taught and supported 72 unemployed candidates through the programme and assessment centre.
Since inception, 82% of these learners have been offered a role at the new M& Stevenage store upon completion of their training, with several of their pees still on an extended work experience pathway that will ultimately lead to employment.
CASE STUDY Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal (HOP)
The premier gateway in Hertfordshire for Students, career explorers and employers to explore career opportunities and access advice and guidance on jobs, qualifications and apprenticeships via one single portal.
Students and career explorers can use a series of interactive tools to find out about career paths, employment opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience, skills development and professional qualifications programmes.
Employers and training providers can reach and recruit their future talent and upskill & provide progression opportunities for existing staff.
Schools can access a rich bank of Hertfordshire-specific careers resources including labour market infographics, a Virtual Employer Encounter webinar series and a range of classroom resources based on the Hertfordshire Skills Framework.
CASE STUDY Stevenage Innovation & Technology Centre (SITEC)
The recently opened Stevenage Innovation & Technology Centre (SITEC) aims to capitalise on Stevenage’s position in the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Research and Development between Oxford, Cambridge and London.
It is phase one of the broader NHC project to develop and deliver a range of new T-Level and apprenticeship qualifications in Science, Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Technologies at Levels 3-5.
It aims to raise the aspirations and skills of residents and employees by providing accessible opportunities in the key growth areas for the region, including life sciences and advanced manufacturing.
Working with industry partners ‘FourPlus, ‘LifeArc’, ‘UCL Vax Hub’, ‘Autolus’ and the ‘Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult’, SITEC Phase 1 has seen the creation of a simulation lie sciences laboratory, immersive technologies space, a new digital training suite and virtual reality raining capabilities in a virtual environment.
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