Job Description

The Role:

Kensington and Chelsea is one of London's most vibrant boroughs - and there's never been a more exciting time to join us. We're on a journey of transformation, changing our culture, better engaging with all our residents and firmly placing the needs of our communities first.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in unemployment and uncertainty in the job market. Availability of good quality local opportunities will be key in the recovery period. Our Economy Strategy also places a great emphasis on creating a range of local opportunities, outlining our ambitions to support the local economy and assist residents in gaining sustainable employment and progressing their aspirations.

This is a newly created post within our Economic Development Team. The main task will be to deliver activities to support residents into a range pre-employment support and training with a focus on opportunities available within the construction sector.

The role will work closely with local organisations and communities across the borough (and in partnership with employers) to deliver a programme of outreach and engagement, and will build caseload, providing personal support to residents interested in the construction sector.

There will be a responsibility to assess resident need and where appropriate referring into other employment support programmes such as Central London Works (DWP work and health programme) or more targeted local support such as the Council’s Families and Communities Employment Service.

The Council's Economic Development Team shapes and coordinates the contribution of the Council, partners and other agencies to delivering a strong local economy. The post-holder will join our busy Employment and Skills Team at this crucial time to help progress local ambitions to create and promote local opportunities as well as contribute to wider economic development and pandemic recovery objectives.

Please note that in order for your application to be considered, your personal statement will need to include a comprehensive response to the personal specification criteria, outlined in the Job Description, with particular focus on the Council core values.

Role Requirements:

• The post will oversee and deliver the end-to-end customer journey from outreach and engagement through upskilling and pre-employment preparation to brokering into jobs and providing post-employment support.
• To work closely with local organisations and communities across the borough (and in partnership with employers) to deliver a programme of outreach and engagement, in order to support access to the opportunities in the sector to local residents, and they will build a caseload interested in the construction sector.
• The post will work with their caseload and with wider borough and partner services to support residents to address identified barriers to employment (which will include drug and alcohol screening) as well as supporting and managing access to any required and relevant pre-employment preparation and upskilling training.
• The post will work to prepare residents to be job-ready and able to meet the requirements for specific job roles and opportunities. This could involve arranging sector-specific training, work-based learning (e.g. Apprenticeships) and active support to prepare residents for the vacancies along with active support to stay in work (except where individual boroughs deliver this service).
• To lead with confidence, demonstrating flexibility and openness to change.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

You will possess experience of working within the construction sector, establishing successful partnerships with local organisations and providers and directly supporting individuals through action planning and personal development. This will be supported by a good understanding of the employment and skills landscape, ability to create sustainable opportunities and lead the delivery of workshops, briefings and contribute to events such as careers fairs. To be successful in this role you will demonstrate excellent communication skills, including building and maintaining relationships across a range of partners and will be able to engage and support different audiences from local communities to employers and learning providers.