Winter 2023
Welcome!
Rotherham Council works with partners to support residents who are seeking employment, education, or training, as well as helping businesses recruit suitable candidates. Here we highlight some success stories over the past few months.
If you’ve been sent this newsletter by a friend and would like to hear more sign up to receive the Rotherham Works newsletter direct. If you have a success story you would like to share, please drop our team an email on rotherhamworks@rotherham.gov.uk.
We would really appreciate your feedback to make the Rotherham Works newsletter a success.
Rotherham Apprentice of the Year Awards
 Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for individuals to learn new skills, whilst earning a wage and working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Anthony, Maisie and Chris were winners of the Rotherham Apprentice of the Year Awards for 2023 along with Highly Commended finalists Michelle and Kelly, who were able to gain hands on experience, boost their confidence, and improve their chances of progression in employment.
This year Liberty Steels, AESSEAL, Equans, NHS, Rotherham Council, RNN Group, Aardvark Swift Recruitment and Mears Group were amongst the employers who nominated their apprentices for the awards.
RiDO and the Rotherham Advertiser were organisers of the event, with sponsorship from XPO Logistics, RDaSH, Mears Group, AESSEAL, Equans, MTL Advanced and Liberty Steel. Judges included Diane Keay of the Mears Group and Steve Morris from Signs Express.
The apprentices were delighted to share the benefits and their experiences of apprenticeships. Lisa Pogson of Airmaster, Chair of the Business Growth Board and host of the Awards Ceremony said: “We’re keen to encourage more employers and individuals to get involved in doing an apprenticeship. They are an excellent way of developing individuals and ensuring that a business has the talent that it needs to grow.”
An Awards finalist said: “Apprenticeships are a great opportunity for everyone no matter what your age or your level of ability. My apprenticeship experience was really rewarding. I was able to learn new skills and ways to progress within the company.”
Former or current apprentices of all ages can join the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network to help raise awareness of apprenticeships and their benefits.
If you would like to know more, or are looking for an apprenticeship, speak to your careers advisor in school, college, or your employer. If you are aged 16 to 18 email ambition@rotherham.gov.uk, or if you are over 18 contact employmentsolutionsteam@rotherham.gov.uk.
Employers and individuals can find out more here:
Apprenticeships and Yorkshire Apprenticeship Service – Yorkshire Learning Providers and Apprenticeships - South Yorkshire MCA
Steps to Success
Adult Education is an excellent way for adults to learn new skills and gain the confidence they need to start or return to work.
Courses funded by the Adult Education Budget are available across Rotherham and can be viewed through the AEB Padlet. Scroll across the Padlet to see details of each AEB course provider in Rotherham.
If you have any questions, the contact details for each provider are included in the Padlet.
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Interns into employment
 Supported Internships provide young people with an Education Health and Care Plan aged 16 to 25 with an opportunity to gain valuable skills and confidence through work experience with an employer.
Internships can also provide employers with a valuable pool of prospective talent. Interns can be supported by a work coach during their work placement at no cost to the employer.
Statistics show that most young people participating in this learning opportunity are offered, or take up employment with their host employer following their internship.
Here are some of Rotherham’s success stories….
Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park, Rotherham Council and Next Distribution offered paid employment to a total of 20 supported interns from Rotherham Opportunities College following their internships.
“I really didn’t think I would ever get a job but now, after learning everything I needed to know on the internship I have got a job and I could not be happier. I would recommend the supported internship to anyone it has been the best year and we have all achieved so much!” – Rotherham Opportunities College intern
Since Landmarks Specialist College started delivering Supported Internships in Rotherham in 2016, they have supported 14 young people into paid employment.
Liam, initially started working in the club shop through Rotherham United Community Sports Trust and assisted coaches in various community groups. His confidence grew and he started to work independently. At the end of his programme, the club offered Liam a casual contract working as an assistant coach and offered him a traineeship to continue gaining further skills in coaching.
“I still enjoy coming here, in fact I love coming here. I’ve been a fan of Rotherham since I was two and ever since then I have just dreamed of working here” – Landmarks Specialist College Intern
From the learners who enrolled onto RNN Group’s Supported Internship programme, 70% went into employment, 6% went onto an apprenticeship, and 12% gained volunteering positions.
During his placement in the Café at Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre, James progressed from washing pots and clearing tables to operating the barista machine. James was also able to gain a qualification in food safety and was offered a permanent role at the Café.
“I’ve been able to boost my confidence and assist in the Café’s operations” - RNN Group Supported Intern
Find out more below about:
Rotherham Opportunities College, Landmarks Specialist College and RNN Group
Employment is for Everyone - Training and Information for Employers and Residents
Around 50 individuals attended a training and awareness session aimed at employers.
The aim of the training was to help employers feel more confident about employing or offering internship opportunities to individuals with learning difficulties and autism.
This event was one of three events, which included a cost-of-living information event and an event aimed at supporting adults and young people into Education, Employment and Training. A total of 195 individuals attended all three events.
Find out more about employing people with learning disabilities and Autism
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Local Employment Advisory Form (LEAF) Jobs and Careers Fair
 Each year the LEAF is held in November at Magna Science Adventure, a partnership project between Rotherham Council’s RiDO team, Mears Group and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This year, the event attracted nearly 1,000 visitors including 700 students from 16 different schools/colleges, both mainstream and SEND.
There were over 40 exhibitors who attended the event, bringing interactive items to engage with visitors including t-shirt making, virtual reality headsets and a supercar.
The event patron was the RNN Group and sponsors included 21st Century Educators, Sheffield Forgemasters and Weston Williamson and Partners. First-time exhibitors were Arnold Clark, Ethos Academy Trust, UK Atomic Energy Authority, Wentworth Woodhouse, Street League, and Slice Solutions.
“LEAF allowed our students to speak with employers to learn about the different jobs available in Rotherham and take part in the interactive exhibitions” – Teacher Feedback
“It was very useful to find out about the apprenticeship and volunteer opportunities across Rotherham” – Student Feedback
A Dragons’ Den workshop was also held, where local students were given the opportunity to become ‘Dragons’ and question a panel of business volunteers about their industry and career. Representatives from Horizon Care, Jiggle, Signs Express, the Titans Community Foundation, Mears Group and RMBC took part. The workshop was delivered to 102 students across four schools and received positive feedback.
“I found out tons of useful information that can help me with my future career. I learnt how diverse different jobs are and how enjoying your job has a massive impact on future employment and lifestyle” – Dragons' Den Student Feedback
Find out more about LEAF Jobs and Careers Fair and future events
Homeless and into employment
Glen was homeless when he was referred to the Employment Solutions team at Rotherham Council. Within four months he gained employment.
Watch the video of Glen's story
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North Star Science School event
The Work-wise Foundation working in partnership with Well North Enterprises brought the 4th annual ‘North Star’ event on 8 November, at Gulliver’s Valley, Rotherham.
This one day event brings young people, educators, scientists and businesses together to explore the future of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) in the South Yorkshire Region.
The vision is to combine science with curiosity and play to stimulate and inspire the next generation to consider the fascinating range of careers in STEAM subjects. Local business sponsors showcased the cutting edge of science and engineering and promoted innovation and opportunity in the South Yorkshire Region.
Many of the workshops were co-created by businesses working with local schools well in advance of the actual day and collaborations in Rotherham included Brinsworth Academy with Barratt Homes and Wales High School with Ibstock.
Over 580 young people from South Yorkshire attended the event. With students from 13 Rotherham schools (including SEND) enjoying a fantastic day filled with inspirational talks from leading scientists and engineers, with fun creative activities, experiments, and hands-on interactive workshops delivered by business sponsors.
View the North Star Science School event video here
Find out more information about North Star Science School
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Business start-up support
If you’re looking for help to get your own business off the ground, RiDO’s innovative start-up Launchpad programme is available free of charge to all new and early-stage businesses in Rotherham. It offers one-to-one support and a comprehensive range of expert workshops to help give your business the best start.
Then, when you are ready, RiDO Business Hubs offer over 240 small offices, workshops and lab spaces across Rotherham where you can continue to develop and grow your business in a supportive environment.
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Get Up To Speed with STEM
Date: 20 March 2024
This event aims to introduce, inform, and inspire students, parents, and teachers on the world of work through interactive exhibitions from local employers showcasing their industry and employment opportunities.
For more information visit their Facebook page or book to attend or exhibit through their website.
Address: Magna Science Adventure Centre, Templeborough, Rotherham, S60 1FD
Rotherham Apprenticeship Event
Date: 24 April
Time: 4.00pm to 7.00pm
This event aims to raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships for adults, young people, and employers.
Address: New York Stadium, Rotherham, S60 1FJ
Local Employment and Advisory Form (LEAF)
Date: 18 November
LEAF is a collaboration of partners, schools, colleges, and providers with a common goal to show the students and jobseekers of Rotherham the wide range of career and job opportunities Rotherham and the surrounding areas have to offer. Find out more about LEAF Jobs and Careers Fair and future events
Address: The Great Hall, Magna Science Adventure Centre, Templeborough, Rotherham, S60 1FD
For further information and support to get into employment, education, or training, please visit our website.
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