People and Skills
nextstep - Helping Adults into Learning/Work
"Free, impartial advice on education, training and employment"
next step formerly gain is the brand name of Leicester and Leicestershire Information Advice and Guidance Patnership, which provides free impartial information and advice to adults aged 20+ about learning and work. With support from the LSEP it has set up The nextstep Shop, an easily accessible drop-in centre in the heart of Leicester.
Organisation: gain - LeicesterShire IAGP
Completion Date: 29/04/2004
Location
nextstep, 82 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FB
Project Description
Many of those in work, especially in declining industries, need to plan ahead for a career change or retraining. It is particularly in cases like these that nextstep offer appropriate forms of support - Tricia Hewitt MP, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Background
Adults seeking free impartial advice on learning and work issues are turning in increasing numbers to nextstep - LeicesterShire IAGP.
Minister opens shop
Patricia Hewitt MP officially launched the new shop when she was Trade and Industry Secretary and since then nextstep has established an important presence in Leicester city centre.The Minister stressed the importance of the nextstep service to working people as well as to those seeking employment. At the opening, she said: "Many of those in work, especially in declining industries, need to plan ahead for a career change or retraining. It is particularly in cases like these that nextstep can offer appropriate forms of support."
The Minister also pointed out that late opening at The nextstep Shop on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as on Saturday mornings, made the service more accessible to working people.
High demand
Prior to the official launch the shop actually opened in February 2004 and demand for nextstep services has snowballed, with a doubling of numbers through the door. The highly-accessible, city centre location, plus a profile-raising publicity campaign, have contributed to more adults recognising the assistance nextstep offers within the community to help people take up work and learning opportunities.
Services available
Information and advice are free to all adults aged 20 and over, and nextstep is typically asked for help with finding courses, job search, returning to work, changing career, coping with interviews and CV's and applications. As well as talking to an adviser, people can use the careers library and information zone, with access to computers and the Internet. Additional in-depth career guidance consultations are also available by appointment.
Growing network
The new shop is part of nextstep's network of centres across Leicestershire, where adults over 20 can access free impartial information and advice. These services are provided by local organisations, including further education colleges, community colleges, and voluntary sector organisations. Additionally, nextstep's own 'Outreach' staff offer information and advice sessions at a variety of locations including some Jobcentre Plus offices and health centres. The Service also includes an information line on 0800 0850 330, a website at www.nextstep-leics.org.uk, and a specialist disability adviser.
Outcomes
Service for clients
The project has created a highly-visible, client-driven brokerage service, which provides high-quality information and advice on learning and work. This will provide a one-stop solution offering both a face-to-face service from an easily accessible City Centre location and ICT-based solutions, including an informaton helpline.
The service will be available to both individuals aged 20+ and to businesses. It will include supported referral, i.e. initial diagnosis of need, research to identify suitable provision and referral on behalf of the individual/business to the provider.
Objectives:
- To provide enhanced access to information and advice on learning and work through a brokerage service,
- To establish a city-entre location for information and advice services. The location on Charles Street has been selected to facilitate access for both city and county residents.
- To 'signpost' and make supported referrals to specialist services, e.g. Business Link'.
- To take referrals from other agencies including Jobcentre Plus, Business Link and social enterprise agencies.
- To provide supported referral for those young people aged 20+ who still require support in making transition from Connexions Services.
- To retain graduates in the Leicester and Leicestershire area.
Project Contacts
Project Manager:
Tricia Wray
Tel: 0116 242 2620
E-mail twray@nextstep-leics.org.uk
Website:www.nextstep-leics.org.uk
Address: nextstep
82 Charles Street
Leicester LE1 1FB
nextstep Information Line: 0800 0850 330
LSEP Contact:
Phil Durban
E-mail: phild@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk
