We work to create employment and training opportunities for residents, particularly those who face barriers to employment. Potential offers might include:

  • training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
  • apprenticeships for under-18s and adults
  • job opportunities linked to supplier contracts made available to or 'ring-fenced' to residents 

Here are some examples of support offered by our suppliers to West Kent residents:

Beever and Struthers

Beever and Struthers (our internal auditors) worked with our employment and training team to find suitable candidates to gain work experience within the finance profession. They hired two West Kent residents to work at their London office. One resident was offered a 12-month placement that’s been about more than just work.

“I’ve been able to develop my technical audit skills, get stuck into client work, and really feel part of the team both professionally and socially. I’ve made friends here, and I’ve learned a lot. The support from the team has meant a lot.”

Another resident did a summer paid placement, offering an opportunity to get invaluable work experience that would usually be hard to secure.

AD Group

AD Group has supported five residents with work placements at their Sidcup office, including a placement opportunity for Helen*.

Helen had low confidence and had been out of the job market for a long time, she didn’t know what she wanted to do, but the work needed to fit round her childcare arrangements.

AD Construction Group offered Helen a two-week work experience placement where she shadowed an administration assistant in her everyday tasks which included familiarising herself with internal systems, data inputting, printing, scanning and posting documents. To complement her work experience, West Kent also enrolled her on our online training courses which included customer service and introduction to business administration.

Helen thoroughly enjoyed the work experience, and she told us that her confidence has greatly increased, and she has learnt some valuable skills which she will be able to take with her to future employment. She admitted that at first, she was nervous, but AD Group staff have been very reassuring. She said that company was “inclusive and diverse” and “friendly and fun throughout my time with them”.

* Please note that the name in the case study has been changed for confidentiality reasons.