Gold award for service geared up to meet the challenges of the future

The Hartlepool Borough Council service encompasses a wide range of provision to help individuals into learning, volunteering or employment, and this top accolade reflects how the Council is maintaining a strong, positive workforce, ready to meet the challenges of the future.

HLSS includes:

• Adult Education, which offers distance learning, NVQs, apprenticeships and other tailored courses, complemented by its own impartial Careers Service.
• European Social Fund Community Grants, Routes to Work and the Youth Employment Initiative, which all support unemployed residents into education, employment or training.
• The Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Support Team, which provides expert support to organisations to develop and maximise their potential
• Volunteer Hartlepool, which works in conjunction with the Waverley Project to provide individuals with a meaningful volunteering placement which aims to reduce social isolation and raise their aspirations.

HLSS can also help businesses which require support with the training or recruitment of their employees.  

In granting the Gold award, IIP noted that the service has set a clear strategic direction for its employees and staff understand the contribution they are making to this strategy.

IIP praised the culture of openness within the service, adding that staff said they were empowered in their roles and given autonomy to make decisions and managers were supportive and always on hand for guidance.

In a recent staff survey, all those who took part reported that they feel fully supported and encouraged by their line manager and 98% said they understand how their individual objectives fit into the vision and strategic goals of the wider service.

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the Council’s Chair of Economic Growth and Regeneration, said: “Organisations which lead, support and develop their workforce are far better employers and are much more effective and efficient, so I am delighted that Hartlepool Learning and Skills Service has achieved ‘the gold standard’ for investing in its employees.

“The Council’s staff are the foundation for its success and a strong, motivated workforce is vital to help and support the local community as together we face the challenges of recovering and rebuilding from the damage wrought by the COVID pandemic.”