Education and Training Awards 2021

Most DedicatedApprenticeship & Commercial Training Provider - South East England & Best Apprenticeship Training Organisation- SouthWest England With a nationwide reputation for providing quality training and delivering a high standard of customer service, The Education and Skills Partnership Ltd is the preferred choice of learning and skills for many. We speak to Managing Director, Jason Hargreaves, about what makes ESP stand out from the crowd. The Education and Skills Partnership Ltd, or ESP as it is more commonly known, was founded in 2015 and is a national training organisation specialising in apprenticeships, telecoms training and leadership and management. The Company substantially offers employability packages to assist employers in launching new recruitment strategies to support unemployed people gain sustained employment and revive their careers. As an established and growing business, the organisation strives to develop long-lasting partnerships with other established companies and identify the best solution to training needs for learners and employers. To date, ESP has delivered and supported more than 3,000 apprentices across a range of subjects, including telecoms, retail and executive management, human resources and business administration. Managing Director, Jason Hargreaves, tells us more about the firm and its ethos: “As part of our collaborative working partnerships, we have shared our knowledge, experience and support in the development of several initiatives,” he begins. “Our selected partners share our vision of providing outstanding quality, which harmonizes with learners’ aspirations and abilities. It also ensures learners reach their full potential.” This year, over 1,700 learners have benefitted from the Partnership’s national employability programmes. The Company is an accredited Official National Kickstart Gateway, currently working with over 75 companies, with the fulfilment of nearly 400 new employment roles in support of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The overall mission of ESP is to help all learners achieve their full potential. The Company achieves this by a strong design and partnership approach, and Jason believes it is attention to the finer detail that differentiates the Company from its competitors. Apr21781 “We seek to understand the short, medium and longer-term needs of client businesses,” he elaborates. “Our coaching model of development operates throughout the training model of the business to focus outstanding achievement across all activities. We operate with integrity in our advice and with skill in our delivery.” “Beyond the normal hours of the course, our team works consistently to engage and develop learners. We provide extra tutorials, additional support and an individual approach to each and every learner.” This distinguishing feature of ESP underlies the ‘no learner left behind’ concept, which guarantees that all learners are given the best chance to achieve. ESP is extremely forward thinking and has a number of ‘industry firsts’ under its belt. The Company was the first to complete apprentices through the business admin standard with Pearson, one of the largest awarding bodies in the country, with many learners achieving distinctions. Understandably, the disruptive nature of the Covid19 pandemic brought many challenges to ESP. However, Jason explains that the company faced them head on by supporting GMCA with delivering Covid19-specific support initiatives, for example, and developing specific projects in the South East to manage training limitations during the pandemic. “We developed flexible, online, blended provision to maintain service during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Jason states. “Many learners benefitted from this support by mixing virtually with other learners to maintain their development”. “There was also significant focus on safeguarding and supporting learners at this time, both furloughed and unemployed. Amidst the widespread uncertainty that people faced, we provided good, positive support.” Regarding the future, ESP is going from strength to strength. The Company’s collaboration with industry and long-term client relationships means that ESP will support over 5,000 learners, during the 2021/22 academic year, to develop skills and transition in their careers. The Company’s strategy includes substantial plans and developments, including expansion of its telecoms experience to new client-partners operating to the new standard; ensuring transitions are efficient and effective for the client, and working to develop tamper proof certificates using block chain technology. “We really enjoy what we do, and by bringing our enthusiasm and energy through to the learning, everyone benefits. ESP is a great place to work, study or partner with.” Contact: Jason Hargreaves Company: The Education & Skills Partnership Web Address: www.esp-ac.uk The Education & Skills Partnership