A successful collaboration between Skills Launchpad Plymouth and The National Careers Service
The National Careers Service in the Southwest has seen a remarkable success through its ongoing partnership with Skills Launchpad Plymouth, the city’s one-stop-shop for skills, training, education, careers and jobs.
This collaborative effort has proven to be a crucial resource for those seeking skills, training, and career development, as together, professionals are helping to bridge the gap between local businesses and people eager to access new opportunities, making a significant impact on the Plymouth labour market.
Skills Launchpad Plymouth is a city-wide partnership, led by Plymouth City Council’s skills team, which connects residents with opportunities for skills, training, education, careers and jobs, bringing together training providers, employers and support organisations.
FREE localised online resources
Through it’s free localised online resources at www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk, opportunities are made easily accessible to both local people and employment support workers.
Supplementing these digital resources, face-to-face delivery is available from their central location in Plymouth city centre, where support is delivered from the first floor of Barclays bank with access to a range of services, including Jobcentre Work Coaches, free impartial careers information advice and guidance, as well as themed training and recruitment events.
Support from dedicated HUBS
Young people aged 16 to 24, including those with additional needs, can access support from Youth Hub Coordinators who support them to navigate the right pathway towards employment, signposting along the way to training opportunities including supported internships, apprenticeships, and shorter employability focused programmes.
The Adult Hub, meanwhile, caters to those aged 25 and above, offering online resources and targeted assistance to individuals who are looking for work, facing redundancy, or seeking a change in career.
The Skills team is also working to help upskill local people to fill skills gaps in the city, and retain talented individuals in the local area, particularly those from the armed forces community and recent graduates and supporting people to access opportunities in the city’s key growth sectors.
Comprehensive support and local resources
The partnership with the National Careers Service has brought additional strength to the initiative.
The ability to refer people aged 19+ directly to the National Careers Service for further guidance is an invaluable asset and is often the starting referral point on a Skills Launchpad Plymouth members skills journey.
This collaboration provides comprehensive support, ensuring that individuals not only have access to the local resources but can also tap into the broader expertise offered by the National Careers Service.
Through this partnership, Skills Launchpad Plymouth members can receive free information, advice and careers guidance; as well as CV writing support, free of charge, helping them to make informed decisions about their futures.
Award winning outcomes
The success of Skills Launchpad Plymouth has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the team were highly commended at the national Local Government MJ Awards in the category of ‘Delivering Better Outcomes.’
This recognition was awarded for the incredible impact achieved through their services, particularly in helping individuals from all walks of life find the support they need to move forward in their careers.
Similarly, in 2023, the localised website was a finalist at the national Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Awards for ‘Digital Solution of the Year’.
Effective collaboration
The partnership continues to serve as a model for how local initiatives and national services can collaborate effectively to meet the changing needs of the workforce, fostering long-term economic resilience in Plymouth and the Southwest.
The collaborative approach ensures a well-supported and thriving local labour market.
