Hattersley’s ‘Step Ahead’ service has brought a fundamental change to local training delivery. This was achieved by commissioning training based on resident’s needs or wishes rather than advertising standard ‘offerings’ from local training providers.
This was made possible through the cooperation of all local training providers – members of Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership’s Jobs Training and Enterprise Group.
This group now oversees a range of actions to increase access to advice, training and employment advice.
One-stop shop
Step Ahead was set up as a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for jobs, training and advice and, heavily supported by Jobcentre Plus, won a national award from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in 2004.
Step Ahead is now coordinated by the Community Learning Coordinator and provides training and a range of other advisory services at several venues around the area.
A wide variety of training is now on offer, including:
- IT
- arts and leisure courses
- various courses to help community groups manage their activities
Work with employers has also brought local jobs-fairs and pre-recruitment courses. Step Ahead now aims to provide training in construction and other skills so local people can make the most of opportunities arising from the physical development programme.
