Recruit, inspire and develop your workforce

Developing Suffolk Talent newsletter

Developing Suffolk Talent is the quarterly newsletter that keeps you up to date with the work of the Council's skills team as well as related policies and funding opportunities.

If you would like to give us feedback on what you would find useful or wish to sign up to this, send an email to skills@suffolk.gov.uk and ask to be added to the distribution list.

Asset Skills Enhancement and Capability fund

The Asset Skills Enhancement and Capability (ASEC) Fund is funded by Sizewell C. Its £7.8 million addresses skills development needs related to the Sizewell C project across its construction phases, Suffolk and the wider region. The fund aims to support investment into the skills system to address prominent skills gaps and ensure the workforce is job-ready to capitalise on opportunities now and in the future.

Inspiring young people and promoting your business

Organisations and services helping businesses support young people they employ.

Icanbea

Icanbea is the local website helping young people discover for themselves the range of job and career opportunities open to them across Suffolk and Norfolk. 

You can find out about important employment industries in the East and view company profiles to hear about their businesses and who they recruit, including opportunities they are currently offering.

If you’re an organisation, company or educational establishment in the Norfolk and Suffolk region and want to get involved with this council-backed charity project, please email team@icanbea.org.uk.

Apprenticeships Suffolk 

An impartial service supporting SME businesses to engage with apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships Suffolk aim to promote the growth of apprenticeships by supporting the engagement of all interested parties through information and guidance on subjects such as:

• funding, including the apprenticeship levy
• finding the right training
• how the 20% off the job works
• guidance on End Point Assessment
• understanding expectations and apprenticeships in general and
• up to date information about both national and local incentives. 

We have a team on hand to provide as little or as much support that you or your organisation require to successfully recruit and retain your apprentice across Suffolk.

To find out more and to contact the team please visit Apprenticeships Suffolk

Thrive: Suffolk skills and employment service

Thrive is led by Suffolk New College and offers a triage and personal development service led by Inspire Suffolk, with additional activity packages from Lofty Heights.

Thrive for Adults triage and personal development service is led by Access Community Trust in East Suffolk and West Suffolk, and by Anglia Care Trust in Ipswich and Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Suffolk New College, East Coast College and West Suffolk College offer follow on progression and coaching services for those who are ready to explore employment and training opportunities.

The Thrive project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is delivered on behalf of the Suffolk local authorities: Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils, East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council.

For information about the delivery of the programme, contact thrive@suffolk.ac.uk

Investing in skills and training

Skills Bootcamps: free training for learners in Suffolk and Norfolk

Skills Bootcamps are part of the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee strategy.  Their aim is to: 

• Aid businesses to hire people with the skills required, help fill their skills vacancies
• Support individuals who are currently unemployed or returning to work access funded course to develop skills and assist them to find local work
• Provide those who are self employed to gain additional skills to help them develop and grow their business
• Provide businesses with targeted training to develop and progress their own employees within the business

More information on eligibility, delivery and outcomes through the Norfolk and Suffolk Skills Bootcamps.

If you would like to discuss your needs with our Skills Broker Bev Wallman, please contact skillsbootcamp@suffolk.gov.uk

Social care and health sector skills plan

Skills development in health and social care plays a crucial role in recruitment and retention and ensures high quality care is delivered by confident and capable professionals who enjoy their work. 

The social care and health sector skills plan outlines our dynamic approach to partnership working to ensure that the skills needs of the sector are identified and addressed.

For more information or if you would like to become involved in the social care and health sector skills partnership, please contact: Amy.Ryan@suffolk.gov.uk

Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub and Enterprise Adviser Network (EAN)

The Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub and Enterprise Adviser Network (EAN) are part of a national initiative designed to improve the quality of careers education in secondary schools, colleges and special schools. These programmes help young people explore future career options, develop employability skills and make informed decisions about their next steps.

Locally, the Careers Hub works with over 145 education institutions across Norfolk and Suffolk, building strong partnerships with employers and organisations of all sizes. These include businesses in key growth sectors such as digital technology, clean energy and construction. By connecting education with the world of work, the Hub helps ensure that young people are better prepared for their future careers.

The EAN is managed nationally by The Careers and Enterprise Company and delivered locally in partnership with Suffolk County Council and Norfolk County Council. Enterprise Advisers are volunteers from the world of work who support schools and colleges to develop effective careers strategies and strengthen employer engagement.

Visit the Norfolk and Suffolk Careers Hub to learn more about how these programmes are delivered locally.

Visit the Careers and Enterprise Company website for national information.

End Point Assessment

Suffolk County Council have been approved and recognised by Ofqual to act as the End Point Assessor Organisation for the Careers Development Professional Apprenticeship (ST0694).

For more information  please look at CPD for careers professionals | Suffolk County Council  or contact EPA@suffolk.gov.uk or Jacqui.phipps@suffolk.gov.uk.

Adult Learning Service

The service is led by Suffolk County Council, and provides a wide range of free health and wellbeing, learning in families, English and maths courses (up to Level 2 - GCSE equivalent) for adults 19 years+ living in Suffolk. The service particularly targets adults who have missed out on previous educational opportunities or who come from groups with the highest levels of need. Many of our learners start from very low educational levels, often overcoming many barriers in order to achieve success. More information can be found on Learn Suffolk.