EGSA's training triumph

Two innovative learning programmes, developed to assist employees prepare for a new career after redundancy and to raise awareness of essential skills in the workplace, have received National Training Awards.

The awards, which recognise outstanding achievement and success through training and development, are regarded as the highest accolade in the UK training world.

EGSA Connecting Adults with Learning was delighted to receive recognition for its approach in meeting the needs of two very different employers through the awards, which were presented at a gala ceremony in Belfast City Hall.

Altogether 21 employers, training providers, partnerships and individuals received National Training Awards at the ceremony.

Encouraging staff into training

A partnership between EGSA (Educational Guidance Service for Adults) and the Ministry of Defence led to development of an essential skills programme after research found that 16% of local MoD civil servants needed support with literacy and 44% with numeracy.

To help tackle the effect this was having on the organisation and the career prospects of staff, the MoD worked with EGSA to encourage more staff to undertake courses.

Through a programme of awareness raising designed by EGSA, managers were made more aware of essential skills needs within their workforce and encouraged to discuss training needs with their staff.

By targeting managers in key positions, the MoD was able to raise the profile of essential skills and remove some of the stigma that had been attached to the courses.

Coaching and mentoring model

In the second of its groundbreaking projects, EGSA provided guidance, mentoring and coaching to 52 employees who were facing new career options as a result of the phased closure of Coolkeeragh power station.

The assistance included workshops on topics such as thinking about self-employment, computer skills, job search skills and working with others in different environments. EGSA brought together a range of organisations to deliver these, including the Department of Employment and Learning's careers service.

EGSA's coaching and mentoring model helped to break down the barriers to learning and challenge preconceptions which many of the employees had about their ability to engage in learning again and to inspire them to seek new career directions.

Of a mainly middle aged male workforce, 18 are now involved in learning, five have found new career opportunities and one new business has been created. Another man is planning freelance work as part of an active retirement.

"Skills gaps in the Northern Ireland labour market are a major hurdle which local businesses must overcome to be competitive on the world stage," Angela Smith, Employment and Learning Minister, told the ceremony. "All stakeholders have a role to play in addressing this issue and EGSA's accomplishment this evening in winning a National Training Award shows the value of its contribution. I congratulate EGSA on its achievement."

EGSA Connecting Adults with Learning can be contacted at:

4th Floor, 40 Linenhall Street
Belfast BT2 8BA
028 9024 4274
info@egsa.org
www.egsa.org.uk