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Sir Reg Empy, John McAnespie, Ken Webb

STAFFING SOLUTIONS

 

Our Knowledge. Your Edge.

 

Need a problem solved?  Need an extra pair of hands to help with a specific issue?  We have the solutions. 

 

With over 1200 expert staff and over 30,000 enrolments we have a huge skills base which you can access when you need it. 

 

  • Get a highly qualified individual to implement a specific development project for your business through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership.
  • Get a student to take a fresh approach to a problem you may have. 
  • Get a SERC expert to implement a short project for up to 6 weeks free of charge.
  • Get an Apprentice for up to 3 years to help you meet your customer's needs. 

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

 

KTPs are designed to help you improve your competitiveness and productivity through better use of knowledge, technology and skills. You can tap into the resources that are available at SERC at low cost and risk.

 

When you identify a development project we will help you to access funding and employ an Associate. The Associate will implement your project plan, liaising with SERC staff and using college facilities, to ensure that the best solution is found.  Your project can last for up to 2 years.

 

For example:

The Frying Squad, a food franchise chain throughout Northern Ireland, took on a KTP Associate to help them with business process engineering and developing a business model to help them expand into the RoI market, as well as further expansion within Northern Ireland.  ]

 
To learn more about KTP or to discuss your business needs, contact Rosemary Parker on 028 9262 6770 or email rparker@serc.ac.uk.

 
Alternatively, find out more information at www.ktponline.org.uk.

Student Projects And Placements

 

You can access over 20,000 full and part-time students to bring a fresh and innovative approach to your challenges. This can be a project where you give us a brief and we will manage an individual or group of students to get you a solution.

 
For example:

Denman International Ltd, hair care appliance manufacturer, had help from students to develop new hair straighteners.  Engineering students helped develop the product while hairdressing students tested it.

 

We can also offer you students for placements for up to 1 year.  Many of these students are on higher education and degree level courses, and offer you a free or very low cost resource.

 
For example:

Jonathan McEwen, a HND Electrical/Electronic Engineering student spent 1 day a week with Listo Ltd. He developed a programmable control system which provides the user with the opportunity to control electrical systems with the use of micro communication (i.e. text message).   An example of how the programme could be used is that you could send a text message which would arm your alarm from anywhere in the world. He did so well on placement that Listo offered him full-time employment upon completion of his HND course.

 
To chat about a student project or placement contact Carolyn King on 028 9127 6800.

Apprenticeships

 

You can access over 20,000 full and part-time students to bring a fresh and innovative approach to your challenges. This can be a project where you give us a brief and we will manage an individual or group of students to get you a solution.

 

There are over 1200 full-time Apprentices at SERC.  Apprenticeship programmes allow you to employ and train your staff so that they grow with and fully understand your business.  They are the future of your business and will help you achieve your goals.  Trainees will learn on the job as well as training at SERC to achieve the practical skills and qualifications they need.

 
Benefits for you include:

  • Directed training is free for the duration of the apprenticeship 
  • Employer incentives are available from £500 to £1,500
  • Identify the leaders and the managers of the future of your business
     

For example:

Gary Mason studied Level 3 Plastering, in 2009 he won the ‘Plastering Trainee of the Year’ and ‘Overall Apprentice of the Year’ at the Colleges’ Further Education Awards, as well as being nominated for the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) ‘Apprentice of the Year Award’. As part of his apprenticeship course, Gary worked for local company James Cairn in Dromore.

To chat about taking an apprentice contact one of the following:

 

 

 

 

Steps To Work (STW)

  

An Employers Guide

If your organisation could benefit from more staff but you can’t afford the cost Steps to Work may be the answer!

 

The recession has resulted in a large number of redundancies in the North Down and Ards area and many people with a wide range of skills and abilities now find themselves out of work.

 

Steps to Work is a programme to help the unemployed and economically inactive secure employment.

 

As an employer you can benefit by partnering with SERC to provide valuable work experience placements for participants on the Steps to Work programme.

 

Benefits to your Organisation include:

  • An additional member of staff for a period of work placement ranging from 13 to 52 weeks.
  • No cost to your company as the participant retains their benefits plus a small top-up allowance.
  • Accredited training provided for the participant by the College will be free of charge.
  • Regular support from experienced College staff.
     
    What is required of you?

All employers must hold current Employer and Public Liability Insurance.

Participants require an induction at the start of the placement including Health & Safety procedures etc.

 

A nominated person within your organisation to train the participant as required.

Allow College staff to visit the participant on a regular basis and provide information on participant progress.

 

What is your commitment at the end of the programme?

You are under no obligation to employ the participant, however, it is hoped that by the end of the programme the participant will have proved themselves to be a valuable asset to your company.

 

Should you wish to employ them you can receive a grant towards their wages for the first 26 weeks of their employment.  Not only will your company save on the cost of the wages but also on recruitment and advertising costs!

 

Further Information

If you would like to find out more about the programme or would like to partner with the College in the delivery of the programme please contact Elaine or Ruth on 028 9127 6828 for further information.

 

What employers have to say about Steps to Work

 

“In this challenging economic climate, we have found the Steps to Work program to be of tremendous help. The calibre of candidates has been extremely high and our company has benefitted greatly from the scheme, which we will continue to use whilst it is still available.”

 

Simon Miskimmin

Digital Internet Marketing Consultant

 

SERC Staff Placements 

 

The Lecturers into Industry programme allows you to have a SERC expert in your business for up to 6 weeks working on a short-term project.  This benefits your company by having an extra pair of hands and fresh pair of eyes!  The lecturer will benefit because they are staying in touch with industry developments which they can then take back to the workshop/classroom.  This service is free.

 

For example:

Greg Caffrey was the first person in Ireland to achieve a place at the renowned Cite Internationale des Arts (Creative International Arts Centre) in Paris.  His work with other professionals enabled him to update his skills and knowledge of technology advances in the creative arts. These included the achievement of a high degree of music composition fluency with Sibelius score-writing software, greater knowledge in the use of Pro-tools hard disc recording software and increased experience in interdisciplinary art.

 

Debbie Morton went on placement to the Spa at the Slieve Donard, Newcastle.

 

She carried out a comparison study of Spa provision in the area, benchmarking the Slieve Donard Spa with other ESPA spas in the Hastings group. Debbie’s placement provided the hotel with a benchmarking baseline and benefitted students back at SERC with an improved curriculum design and delivery of spa management theory.

 

Call David Spence on 028 9127 6600.