Cambridge City Council - Employability Skills and Advice Programme for Refugees

Cambridge City Council seeks a service provider that will deliver an employability skills and advice programme that:

• Understands the challenges refugee families face due to issues such as the benefit cap, meaning that refugees may need to take on entry-level positions alongside completing training for financial stability, before progressing to high-skilled employment positions

• Carries out an initial assessment to gauge individual skill profiles, including their employment history, qualifications, and interests

• Provides tailored support based on the clients current English level, providing interpreting support where required

• Identifies and facilitates access to relevant training and qualifications (such as IELTS or vocational courses)

• Provides clients with essentials they will need to navigate life in the UK, such support to create a CV, digital skills training, employment rights, etc.

• Supports clients to apply for jobs, provides interview preparation, and monitors progress and learning

• Where clients have existing qualifications, supports them to have these converted and recognised in the UK (such as ENIC) so that they can resume previous career pathways, reducing a sense of hopelessness and lost time

• Builds links with employers in Cambridge to provide employment and volunteering opportunities

The service will be primarily aimed at people living in Cambridge city and South Cambridgeshire who have travelled under the following Government schemes:

o Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP)

o UK Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)

o Homes for Ukraine (HfU) and Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE)

Regional and local authority data on some of these groups can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/immigration-system-statistics-regional-and-local-authority-data

However, needs may change overtime and therefore it is important that the supplier is able to effectively work with any refugee or asylum-seeking group. The supplier will recognise that world events can quickly influence what is required and who may need to access a service. The service must be flexible to needs and demonstrate a sound understanding of different customs and cultures and delivering a service to people who have experienced trauma.