Pre-Employment Training (SWAPs)

Discover Free Training That Can Lead To A Job Interview

Our 2 to 6 weeks 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 £30,000 per year*

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

Want to know more about our partners in learning?

The current list of our partners in sector-based work academy programmes is constantly growing, if you want to stay updated, fill in the form below and we will put you on our mailing list for new opportunities.

Learn about the business you apply for here:

Preparation For

A career in the Civil Service

This three-week programme is designed to support individuals looking to work within the Civil Service, covering team leading and equality & diversity.

Training includes:

• Certificate in Team Leading Principles Level 2
• Award in Equality & Diversity Level 1
• Employability Skills
• English & Maths Refresher

Dates and times:

5th November 2024
(Information session 30th October)

13th January 2025
(Information session 8th January)

3 weeks/15 days

9:30am-2:45pm

Location:

Walsall College – Wisemore Campus

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

Working in Construction (CSCS)

The purpose of the course is to prepare you for working in the construction industry by giving you a basic overview of the industry. During this training programme, you will also gain basic construction qualifications along with a Green CSCS Card.

Qualifications:

• Level 1 Certificate in Skills for Working in Construction
• Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment
• Green CSCS Card

Dates and Times:

Dates TBC

• 9:30am-3:00pm
• 2 weeks/10 days

Locations:

Walsall College – Hawbush Campus

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

Working in the Education Sector

This three-week training programme will help you develop a basic knowledge of working in non-teaching & teaching support roles mainly in a primary school setting. We will support you in recognising your strengths and transferable skills to support the application process. All participants completing this programme will receive a guaranteed interview with local employers.

Qualifications:

• Level 1 Award: Working in Schools
• Level 1 Award: Equality and Diversity
• Awareness of Safeguarding
• Employability Skills

Dates and Times:

20th January 2025

3 weeks/15 days

9:30am-2:45pm

Locations:

Walsall College – Hawbush Campus

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

Warehousing & FLT

This course will provide you with the basic knowledge, skills and understanding to work in a warehousing and storage facility within the logistics sector. It provides a pre-employment route as well as a foundation for those already working in this sector to progress to the Level 2 Certificate in Warehousing and Storage. Also as part of the course you will also complete training and gain your Forklift Truck Licence.

Qualifications:

• Forklift Truck Licence

• Level 1 Award in Transport & Logistics

• Level 2 Certificate in Warehousing and Storage Principals

Dates and Times:

25th November 2024 *subject to change*
(Information session 19th November)

10th February 2025
(Information session 5th February)

• 9:45am to 2:45pm

• 15 days + FLT

Work 4 Health

This three-week programme will help you develop a basic knowledge of working within Clinical Support Roles

You will be encouraged to explore the Clinical Support worker roles within the NHS and/or Healthcare Support roles whilst developing the skills to help support you through the application process.

Qualifications:

Level 1 Award Preparing to work in Adult Social Care
Level 1 Award in Equality & Diversity
Experience what working for the NHS and/or Healthcare support setting is like from the inside
Improve your understanding of NHS support roles and the teams you can work with
Get help with the application process; including the best way to showcase your strengths and key skills in your application and at the interview
Take part in a guaranteed interview for the roles at Walsall NHS Trust and/or Healthcare Support

Dates and Times:

Dates TBC

9:30am-2:45pm
3 weeks/15 days

Walsall College – Wisemore Campus

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

Care 2 Care

This three-week programme will help you develop a basic knowledge of working in a variety of care settings.

You will be encouraged to explore the Healthcare sector whilst developing the skills to help support you through the application process.

Qualifications:

Level 1 Award Preparing to work in Adult Social Care
Level 1 Award in Equality & Diversity
Experience what working in a Healthcare support setting is like from the inside
Get help with the application process; including the best way to showcase your strengths and key skills in your application and at the interview
Take part in a guaranteed interview with a variety of local employers.

Dates and Times:

25th November 2024

24th February 2025

24th March 2025

28th April 2025

2nd June 2025

7th July 2025

9:30am-2:45pm
3 weeks/15 days

Walsall College – Wisemore Campus

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

If successful within the interview, will need to achieve a FS Level 2 within 6 months of employment.

Retail & Hospitality Academy

This programme has been developed in partnership with McArthurGlen and the Designer Outlet in Cannock, however it is applicable to the many employers offering retail career opportunities.

This training programme is suitable for those just starting out in the industry, helping them to learn, develop and practice the skills required for employment and/or career progression in retail and hospitality.

All participants successfully completing this programme will be supported with their registration with the McArthur Glen portal, helping develop your CV and interview skills, giving you the best opportunity for a successful progression into employment.

Qualifications:

• Level 1 Award in Introduction to Retail Employment

• Level 1 Award in Principles of Customer Service for Retail

• Level 2 Award in Food Safety

Dates and Times:

New dates pending

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 Skills Groundworks

Walsall College Logo

This pre-recruitment training will provide local people with the basic trade and wider personal skills required to enter the construction industry. All suitable applicants recruited to the programme will have the opportunity to complete groundworks trade training relevant to the job opportunity, including:

·Safe use of tools and equipment

·Sub base preparations

·Setting out and laying Kerbs & Edgings

·Principles of setting out, reading basic site drawings and understanding specification

·Installing Domestic Drainage

·Site specific health and safety requirements screed/lay and compact block paving

·Set out prepare ground and lay slabs to create a footpath & patio

·Basic brickwork constructing solid stretcher bond walls and form steps

·Use of Digital Equipment for setting out

·CSCS training & test

·Health and safety awareness online course

Locations:

Construction College Kings Norton Birmingham (CCM)

Dates and Times:

New dates pending

3 weeks/15 days

9:30am-3:00pm

Construction Gateway Construction Skills - Scaffolding

This pre-recruitment 3-week training and support will provide local people with the basic trade and wider personal skills required to enter the construction industry.

All suitable applicants recruited to the programme will have the opportunity to; complete Scaffolding trade training relevant to the job opportunity.

Qualifications:

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 course is for people who are new to scaffolding and want to work as a scaffolding labourer. In conjunction with the CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test it will qualify delegates for a CISRS Scaffolder Trainee or CISRS Scaffolder Labour Card.