Pre-Employment Training (SWAPs)

Our 1 to 6 week programmes are delivered in partnership with a range of employers looking to develop their workforces. Not only does this pre-employment training provide you with new skills for specific sectors, but you can also complete a work placement, receive CV support and a guaranteed interview.

Programmes consist of three main components:

• Pre-employment training matched to the employer’s business needs
• Work experience placement to learn new skills on the job and gain valuable qualifications for the future
• At the end of the programme, learners are guaranteed either a job interview with an employer or help with the application process.

Entry requirements:

Individuals must be aged 19+

These courses are funded for unemployed individuals and those in work earning less than £34,000 per year*

Additional entry requirements may apply, subject to employers' requirements.

A career in the Civil Service

Working in Construction (CSCS)

Skills 4 Construction

Warehousing & FLT

A career in security - SIA badge with door supervision

This intensive 2-week programme is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to explore a career in the security industry. You will gain insight into a range of security roles, including Site Security Officers and Event Security Stewards, helping you understand what it takes to succeed in this fast-paced sector.

Why Choose the Security Services Programme?
This programme is more than just training – it’s a direct pathway into employment within the Private Security Industry.
Throughout the programme, you will:
✔ Develop an understanding of the main characteristics of the Private Security Industry
✔ Learn the importance of safe working practices
✔ Gain knowledge of drug-misuse legislation
✔ Understand the issues and procedures relevant to the role of a Door Supervisor
✔ Work towards gaining your SIA badge
✔ Receive tailored CV and interview preparation support
On successful completion, all participants are guaranteed an interview for the listed security roles.
This is your opportunity to gain recognised qualifications and step confidently into the security sector.

Qualifications & Training Includes
• The main characteristics of the Private Security Industry
• The importance of safe working practices
• Drug-misuse legislation
• Issues and procedures relevant to the role of a Door Supervisor
• SIA badge

Entry Criteria
To enrol onto this programme, you must:
• Be unemployed or under employed and aged 19 or over
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Provide evidence of benefits or low income
• Provide photographic ID
• Be working at Entry Level 3 in English and Maths, progressing towards Level 1
• Complete an assessment to determine a general overall level of fitness*
• Be subject to criminal conviction checks

Take Your First Step Today
If you are motivated, reliable and ready to begin a career in security, this programme will provide you with the skills, qualifications and employer connections to move forward.

Dates and Times:

• Dates TBC

• Friday - Monday, for 2 weeks

• 9:00am to 3:30pm

Hawbush Campus, Beeches Road
Leamore, Walsall, WS3 1AG

• This programme is open to anyone unemployed, aged 19 and over

• Right to work, evidence of benefits or low income and Photographic ID

• Entry 3 English and Maths, working towards Level 1

• As part of this programme, you must complete an assessment to determine a general overall level of fitness*

• Subject to criminal conviction checks

Work 4 Health

This intensive 4-week programme is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, confidence and real-world insight you need to begin working within Clinical Support roles.
You will be encouraged to explore Clinical Support Worker roles within the NHS and wider Healthcare Support settings, while developing the skills needed to successfully navigate the application process.

Why Choose the Clinical Support Careers Programme?
This programme is more than just training – it’s a direct pathway into NHS and healthcare support employment.
Throughout the programme, you will:
✔ Develop a basic understanding of working within Clinical Support roles
✔ Improve your knowledge of NHS support roles and the multidisciplinary teams you may work with
✔ Experience what working in an NHS and/or healthcare support setting is like from the inside
✔ Refresh your English and Maths skills
✔ Gain support with your CV, applications and interview preparation
✔ Learn how to effectively showcase your strengths and key skills
You will also take part in a guaranteed interview for roles within Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and/or Healthcare Support positions.

Qualifications & Training Includes
• Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
• English and Maths refresher
• Employability skills

Entry Criteria
To enrol onto this programme, you must:
• Be working at Level 1 or higher in English & Maths at initial assessment
• Be subject to criminal conviction checks
Please note: Candidates who secure employment with Walsall Manor Hospital (part of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust) will be required to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 within the first 6 months of employment.

Take Your First Step Today
If you are compassionate, motivated and ready to build a career within the NHS or healthcare support services, this programme will provide you with the qualifications, knowledge and confidence to take that next step.

Dates and Times:

Dates TBC

9:30am-2:45pm
4 weeks

Walsall College – Wisemore Campus

Candidates must be working at level 1 or higher when initially assessed in English & maths.

Candidates who secure employment with Walsall Manor will need to achieve a FS Level 2 within the first 6 months of employment.

Subject to criminal conviction checks

Care 2 Care

This intensive 4-week programme is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, confidence and real-world insight you need to begin working in a variety of care settings.

Why Choose Care 2 Care?
The Care 2 Care Programme is more than just training – it’s a direct pathway into employment.

Throughout the programme, you will:
✔ Develop a basic understanding of working across different care environments
✔ Experience what it’s really like to work in a healthcare support setting
✔ Build confidence in your communication, teamwork and professional skills
✔ Explore the wider Healthcare sector and understand the opportunities available
This is your chance to “try before you apply” and see if a career in care is right for you.

Real Employer Connections & Guaranteed Interview
One of the standout benefits of this programme is direct employer engagement.
You will:
• Receive expert support with your CV and application
• Learn how to effectively showcase your strengths and key skills
• Gain interview preparation and confidence-building guidance
• Take part in a guaranteed interview with Housing 21
• Gain recognised qualification Level 1 Award in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

As a leading not-for-profit provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care, Housing 21 is known for its supportive culture, strong values and commitment to delivering high-quality care. It’s an organisation where you can build a stable, rewarding, and long-term career while making a genuine difference to people’s lives.

Entry Criteria
To enrol onto this Into Employment programme, you must:
• Have a clean DBS
• Be unemployed or under employed and aged 19 or over
• Achieve Entry Level 3 in English and Maths (via assessment)

Take Your First Step Today
If you are compassionate, motivated, and ready to explore a career where you can truly make a difference, the Care 2 Care Programme is your opportunity to gain qualifications, experience, and direct access to employers.

Dates and Times:

2nd March 2026 (information session 25th February)

13th April 2026

18th May 2026

22nd June 2026

9:30am-2:45pm
4 weeks

Walsall College – Wisemore Campus

Candidates must be working at Entry Level 3 or higher when initially assessed in English & maths.

Retail & Hospitality Academy

This exciting 2/3-week programme has been developed in partnership with McArthurGlen Group and the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cannock, and is also applicable to the many employers offering retail and hospitality career opportunities.

Designed for those just starting out in the industry, this programme will help you learn, develop and practise the essential skills required for employment and career progression in retail and hospitality.

Why Choose the McArthurGlen Retail Academy?

This programme is more than just training – it’s a direct pathway into retail and hospitality employment.

Throughout the programme, you will:
✔ Develop an understanding of working within retail and customer-focused environments
✔ Build confidence in delivering excellent customer service
✔ Learn key retail principles and workplace expectations
✔ Strengthen your communication and employability skills
✔ Prepare for real job opportunities within the retail sector

All participants who successfully complete the programme will be supported with registration on the McArthurGlen portal, alongside tailored CV development and interview preparation to give you the best opportunity to progress into employment.

Qualifications & Training Includes

Level 1 Award in Principles of Customer Service for Retail
Employability Skills

Entry Criteria

To enrol onto this programme, you must:
• Be unemployed or under employed and aged 19 or over
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Provide evidence of benefits or low income
• Provide photographic ID
• Be working at Entry Level 3 in English and Maths, progressing towards Level 1

Take Your First Step Today

If you are enthusiastic, customer-focused and ready to begin a career in retail or hospitality, the McArthurGlen Retail Academy will give you the skills, qualifications and employer connections to succeed.

Dates and Times:

13th April 2026

3 weeks/15 days
9:30am-3:00pm

Locations:

• McArthurGlen Retail Outlet

Candidates must be working at around entry level 3 or higher when initially assessed in English & maths.

Construction Gateway Construction Skills - Scaffolding

This intensive 3–4 week pre-recruitment training programme is designed to provide you with the basic trade skills and wider personal development needed to enter the construction industry.
All suitable applicants recruited onto the programme will have the opportunity to complete industry-relevant scaffolding training and take part in a guaranteed interview with a number of local scaffolding companies.

Why Choose the Scaffolding & Construction Programme?
This programme is more than just training – it’s a direct pathway into the construction sector.
Throughout the programme, you will:
✔ Develop essential knowledge of working safely at height
✔ Gain hands-on experience in erecting and dismantling scaffolding
✔ Build confidence using industry-standard equipment and practices
✔ Strengthen your understanding of health and safety requirements
✔ Prepare for employment with local scaffolding employers
This is your opportunity to gain practical experience and recognised industry training while preparing for real job opportunities.

Qualifications & Training Includes
• Working at Heights
• Manual Handling Training
• Mobile Towers
• Safety Harness Training
• Practical exercise erecting and dismantling a single bay independent scaffold to the correct standard
• Practical exercise erecting and dismantling a 2 Bay Independent Scaffold (Tube & Fitting)
• Practical exercise erecting and dismantling a 2 Bay Independent Scaffold (Transom Units)
• CISRS 1-day COTS (Construction Operatives Training Scheme) course – for individuals new to scaffolding who want to work as a scaffolding labourer
In conjunction with the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test, the COTS course qualifies delegates for a CISRS Scaffolder Trainee Card or CISRS Scaffolder Labourer Card.

Take Your First Step Today
If you are practical, motivated and ready to build a career in construction, this programme will provide you with the skills, hands-on experience and employer connections to get started.

Locations: