We are delighted to announce this exciting Support Services Employment Academy with Mid & East Antrim Labour Market Partnership, created for council residents wishing to work in Health & Social Care.

Would you like to work in Health and Social Care? Join our Academy today!

Fast Track your way to working in the Care sector!

Always wanted to help others and work in the Care sector but weren’t sure how to go about it, or maybe you have no experience and need a bit of support with the interview process? Then this 5 day FREE Support Services Employment Academy course will be a fantastic starting point for you!

Starting on Monday the 27th of November, our helpful and supportive Academy team will take you and other candidates through our specially created programme to fast track your way into employment within this in-demand sector.

What is the Support Services Employment Academy?

It is an enjoyable employment programme created to assist those new to the Health and Social Care sector, by giving you a great insight into the roles available and the care you might give in these various job roles. Over the 5 days of the Support Services Employment Academy you will have access to our specialist training created specifically to give you a strong overview of what you need to work in the care industry. We will provide you with support and mentoring to gain employment and you will gain access to our database of employers who have live vacancies across the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area with full time, part time and casual contracts all available to start now!!

Mid and East Antrim Support Services Academy team member working alongside an elderley man in a care in the community role
Help those living in your community with a range of employment opportunities in Care

What do you learn during the 5 days on this Support Services Employment Academy?

What will the 5 days cover?

  • Working in Care: An exploration of the diverse range of career pathways within the social care sector.
  • Introduction to Care Standards, RQIA and The Social Care Council
  • Values and attributes, underpinning principles, and standards of practice
  • Consolidation of online learning module on confidentiality: Information Governance and Cyber Security
  • Meet the employer – Guest speaker from care sector outlining what they look for in an employee

What are the benefits of taking part in this Support Services Employment Academy?

Benefits to taking part in this Support Services, Health and Social Care Academy?

  • A chance to improve employability
  • Guaranteed interviews with employers
  • Access to industry standard vocational training
  • One to one mentoring support for the duration of the programme
  • An introduction to the sector and an insight into the range of job roles available

We have also videos and case studies from past participants from various Academies on our website here: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/ so please visit this link to find out more and hear how life-changing it can be!

Work in Health and Social Care with Mid and East Antrim and help those in need locally!
Help in the home roles as well as various other settings within Health and Social Care

Who can apply for the Support Services Employment Academy?

You must be over 16 years of age and living in the Mid and East Antrim areas to apply for the Support Services Employment Academy. Preference will be given to those who are economically inactive, long- term unemployed or under-employed (working less than 16 hours).

How to apply for the Support Services Employment Academy?

For registration and further information please email Kim from People 1st at [email protected] or [email protected]

You can also find further information about the Mid and East Antrim Labour Market Partnership and their employment initiatives here: https://www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/business/amplify-mid-and-east-antrim/employment-and-skills-support/labour-market-partnership

Make that first step today, and apply for a place on this Academy

Tina, aged 47 from Ballymena, took part in a past Support Services Employment Academy- hear what she had to say about her experience!

Tina, 47, from the Ballymena area had been unemployed for 3 years but unfortunately had to leave her job due to medical conditions. She really wanted a job which helped people and supported them to live a better quality of life. Tina had over 10 years experience working in a special needs role and knew that her passion lay in working with individuals who needed extra assistance and support, to help them lead full and independent lives.

Tina saw the Mid and East Antrim Employment Academy advertised in the local paper and thought it would be a good opportunity to try and re-enter the employment market.

Tina was assigned a Mentor from People 1st, who contacted her to chat through her employment goals. It became obvious that she had some concerns regarding her medical history and coming back into employment. Tina’s mentor spent time chatting to her about both physical and mental health concerns, reassuring her that these were challenges that could be overcome. Tina was nervous as she had had a very bad experience in her workplace previously and this negatively affected her mental health. This had left her worried about references and how she would be able to move beyond that experience.

Tina stated “ I thought due to my past experience I wouldn’t get good references but after speaking to People 1st, I was reassured and my mind was put to rest and here I am working with three great references.’’ After reassuring Tina that these where areas which could be overcome, she became more motivated to gain employment in the Health and Social Care sector.

Tina attended the academy with People 1st which boosted her confidence and helped her understand the basic principles of care work. Tina was supported to apply for work and prepare for interviews. Tina successfully gained an offer of employment from a local nursing home and is now undertaking her NVQ Level 2 with People 1st, while working in her new job.

“I’m so glad I contacted people 1st, it’s been a great experience. The support from the One to One phone calls, Zoom meetings, the emotional support, help with interview techniques and being encouraged to think I can do this!!!. I love how it’s given me confidence to get out working again. I really love working with people again and has given me confidence and I really enjoy my work. Thank you to everyone in People 1st”

Tina, Ballymena- Past Mid and East Antrim Academy Participant

So if you are sitting at home, reading this and thinking you would love to do something like Tina then please reach out and get in touch with us today, as we would love to help you through our Support Services Employment Academy, achieve a rewarding career in caring, like we did with Tina.

Email Kim at [email protected] today and we will be in touch to secure your spot!

We are thrilled to share William and Patrick Magennis’ remarkable success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy and People 1st. The brothers have achieved an outstanding milestone in their careers with the support of Belfast City Council’s Upskilling Academy and their employer, Kids Together Belfast.

Success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy for Patrick and William Magennis
Twin Brothers Patrick and William Magennis with Brenda (left) People 1st Director and Diane (right), Kids Together Belfast.

William and Patrick, who share a genuine passion for working with children with special needs, embarked on their professional journey as support workers with Kids Together, a local organisation specialising in early years, after-school programmes, youth groups, and adults with complex needs. The Magennis brothers initially completed their Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care through the Apprenticeships programme with People 1st, all while gaining valuable hands-on experience working alongside the dedicated team at Kids Together.

Journey to success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy

When the opportunity arose to participate in the Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy, William and Patrick seized it eagerly. Having advanced from support worker to team leaders in their organisation, they were keen to further their careers in supervisory roles, and the academy provided them with the perfect pathway to achieve this goal

Following their successful completion of the academy and achieving their Level 5 qualification in Health and Social Care, we are thrilled to announce that both of these talented brothers have been promoted to supervisory positions at Kids Together. This is a fantastic opportunity for career progression, not only for William and Patrick, but also for their employer, as they will benefit greatly from this achievement too.

As an organisation and on a personal level we are so proud of William and Patrick and how far they have come. Their commitment to upskilling, with the guidance from People 1st staff, whilst working full time is a credit to them both. Kids Together are very fortunate to have William and Patrick as part of our ever growing team and the skills and knowledge gained from the Level 3 and 5 Health and Social Care have empowered them to become super supervisors and mentors for their teams.

Pamela Hughes, Manager, Kids Together Belfast
Success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy for Patrick and William Magennis
Back in 2021 when Patrick and William achieved their Level 3 in Health and Social care with People 1st during the pandemic.

A life-changing career move in the right direction

As Patrick explains, he feels that this training is his real vocation in life as he enjoys it so much and has had a brilliant journey up to this point:

After leaving school, I went to work as a classroom assistant in special needs and found my passion! After completing my Level 3 in Health and Social Care, I was delighted to be able to progress with Belfast City Council and the Up-skilling Academy to gain my Level 5 Management qualification.  I feel that a clear career path has been opened to me by completing this Academy and after up-skilling, I have been able to take on a higher-level management position at Kids Together. Supporting young people with disabilities is extremely rewarding and I want to encourage and support other young males to consider this pathway as a career

Patrick Magennis, Supervisor, Kids Together Belfast

This success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy that the brothers have enjoyed has gained them a promotion and will really help propel their career forward with Kids Together Belfast. The support extended by Belfast City Council, at no cost to either participants or employers, underscores its potential to foster professional growth within your organisation, equipping team members with the skills to benefit both the employer and the children under their care. It is a positive initiative for all involved as Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: 

It’s fantastic to hear of the success William and Patrick have had after completing our Upskilling Academy. We’re passionate about supporting our residents to develop the skills they need to secure quality employment in the city. We’ve made a commitment in The Belfast Agenda to support inclusive growth by providing free training, enabling people to apply for roles they otherwise wouldn’t be equipped to do. And Belfast’s children are also benefitting – particularly those with Special Education Needs. Congratulations William and Patrick – we wish you every continued success

Councillor Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Belfast City Council
Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy
Success with the Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy

We extend heartfelt thanks to Belfast City Council and the Kids Together Belfast team for their unwavering support of this incredible and life-changing initiative. Keep an eye out on our social media channels for news of upcoming up-skilling academies, as we anticipate more inspiring success stories like this one!

Congratulations to William and Patrick, and we all wish them the very best on their future pathways! 

If you would like the opportunity for further career success with Belfast City Council Upskilling Academy, like Patrick and William, then please visit the following link to find out what current opportunities are available for further training through the Belfast City Council Employment Academies: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/employmentacademies

We have a whole section dedicated to the Academy programmes we offer on our website where you can hear from other past participants: https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/ . If you would like to find out more about Kids Together Belfast and the incredible service that they offer local families then please visit their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Kids-Together-Belfast-100064606302711/

At People 1st, we believe in empowering women to achieve their career goals, and that’s why we’re excited to introduce our Female Focus Academy in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Labour Market Partnership, and we want to help your local community by getting females into employment today! 

We are here to help with getting females into employment within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area.
Let us help you get back into employment after a career break!!

People 1st are ready and focused on getting females into employment!

In today’s world, there are still challenges that many women face when it comes to finding their path in the workforce or returning to work after a career break. 

Let’s dive deeper into this exciting initiative and how it can help you chart your path to career success.

Breaking Down the Female Focus Academy:

Our Female Focus Academy is a platform designed to provide tailored support and mentoring to women in the Armagh, Banbridge, and Craigavon Council area. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for your first job, a stay-at-home mom seeking to re-enter the workforce, or simply someone who’s in need of a career change, this program is here to guide you every step of the way.

  • Personalised 1:1 Mentoring: We understand that every woman’s journey is unique. That’s why our program offers one-on-one mentoring tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
  • Confidence and Motivation Support: Building confidence is key to achieving your career goals. Our dedicated mentors will work with you to boost your self-esteem and motivation.
  • Financial Guidance: Before accepting a job offer, it’s essential to understand the financial implications. We provide guidance to ensure you’re making informed decisions.
  • Short, Accredited Courses: Our program offers short courses that are not only convenient but also accredited, helping you gain essential skills for your desired career.
  • Job Search Assistance: Looking for the right job can be daunting. We offer valuable job search assistance to streamline your efforts.
  • Interview Support: Nailing that interview is crucial. We provide interview coaching to help you shine in the spotlight.
We can help recent female graduates also looking help into employment on our programme
If you are looking for your first Graduate role after University, then we can help you!

Why You Should Join our Employment Academy?

Why You Should Join:

Our Female Focus Academy is more than just a program; it’s a community of women dedicated to supporting one another on their career journeys. We believe in your potential and are committed to helping you achieve your goals. By joining our program, you’ll gain access to a network of like-minded women, empowering you to thrive in the workforce.

How to Apply:

To apply for our Female Focus Employment program, simply fill out your details here:

https://forms.gle/GkgJgzLCo2dEiwui9

and Maria, our dedicated People 1st team member for this programme will be in touch to guide you through the process. If you have any questions or queries before applying then Maria will be happy to help guide you so please contact her on m.bake[email protected] or call Maria directly on 07847 807 903.

At People 1st, we believe that every woman deserves the opportunity to excel in her chosen career path. Our Female Focus Academy is your gateway to career success, offering the support and resources you need to achieve your goals. We invite you to join us on this empowering journey towards a brighter future. Let’s make strides together and get onto a clear pathway to success!

We are here to help all ages-getting females into employment is the main focus of the programme and the People 1st team is ready to support your career needs.
If you have been a carer for loved ones, and unable to work- we can help you get back to a job you will really enjoy!

Please find the programme flyer attached below where you can click to read further detailed information about the programme, and how our team can help you on this exciting new initiative for employment. You can also browse our Academies page on our website that tells you more about how the employment academies work and read some past testimonials too! https://people-1st.co.uk/programmes/academies/