Forward Employment Services offer options for people needing support into paid work. These include: employability support; vocational training and access to jobs; apprenticeships; and traineeships and self-employment for the unemployed, ex-offenders and those in recovery from addiction. Our award-winning services have supported hundreds of people into employment and to set up their own enterprises.
Having a job or apprenticeship can help break the cycle of re-offending and addiction. A job can bring purpose, a career and connection to the community and independence. Forward Employment Services creates opportunities for people to develop new skills, find work or an apprenticeship and to develop their career.
Our services are informed by years of working with some of the hardest-to-reach people in the community, in custody and through-the-gate. Our expert team includes Employment Coaches, trainers, employer engagement staff and people with comparable experience, who can provide inspirational peer support to our target client groups.
Job Centre Plus Employability Support: We provide employability support to help unemployed clients into work experience, job roles and apprenticeships. We are delivering the Job Centre Plus (JCP) Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) contracts in London and Kent.
Education Skills Funding Agency European Social Fund (ESF): We are delivering the employability and skills programme for 16-24 year olds who are not in education, employment or training in North and East London (through our partner Learn Direct DTS) and in South London (Merton) through our partner Skills Training UK. This programme aims to support young people into sustained employment, education or training (EET) for 6 months andis part funded by the European Social Fund.
Vocational skills and training: We deliver information, advice and guidance, vocational skills and training programmes including qualifications in prison and in the community. We are delivering the new Prison Education Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS).
The Forward Enterprise Fund is a £2 million social investment fund dedicated to supporting charities and enterprises that prioritise creating employment opportunities for ex-offenders and people in recovery from addiction. For more information on the fund, please visit the Forward Enterprise Fund website here.
We deliver contracts on behalf of local authorities, social landlords and others in grounds maintenance, horticulture and facilities management. We employ clients and learners. Email our Manager Steve Finn at Steve.Finn@blueskydevelopment.co.uk to find out more.
If you are in recovery from addiction we have a range of employment options within Forward's service and head office teams. If you are looking for a new challenge apply to our award winning Forward Apprenticeship Scheme. Click below to find out more.
Forward aims to encourage and empower volunteers by providing meaningful volunteering roles and development opportunities that may help prepare you for work. We offer volunteering opportunities in our prison and community projects, and in various Head Office departments. Click below to find out more.