Job Description

Job Category: Customer Service
:
Job Title: Employment and Training Officer
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: 18,008.92 per annum (19,733.57 per annum is achieved after 12 months successful performance in the role)
Working Hours: Part Time - 21 Hours
Working Pattern: 3 Full days between Monday to Friday - Hybrid working options, to be discussed at Interview
Location: Primary base can be either Carlisle, Cumbria or Langley, Rochdale
If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all the essential criteria on the job description.
Please note that whilst we will accept applications on the basis of any form of valid legal permission to work in the UK, we will be surrendering the Riverside Sponsorship licence, so for the avoidance of doubt, we are unable to apply for any further sponsorships whether on behalf of existing colleagues or candidates.
The difference you will make as a Employment and Training Officer
As Employment & Training Officer you will deliver a quality, effective Employment & Training service to customers to support them towards becoming economically active. Working in collaboration with partner organisations, you will develop engagement strategies with local and national employers, and other partner agencies, to develop new employment, training and volunteering opportunities, in order to match local skills gaps with the needs of our customers, and support them to sustain their tenancies.
You will manage a caseload of customers delivering employment, training, skills and volunteering activities within a specified area and will be required to have a presence across your patch, on average one day a week, in order to drive referrals and opportunities, and support customers.
About you
We are looking for someone with:

• Experience of providing support to customers, both one to and in group settings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Ability to work autonomously and a can-do attitude
• Experience of seeking best practice to drive continuous improvements.

Why Riverside?
We are a housing association with a difference - enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we've been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives.
We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working with us, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive pay & generous pension
• 28 days holidays plus bank holidays
• Flexible working options available
• Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
• A wide range of benefits

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues.
Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to be considered.
Role Profile

• Publicise the Employment and Training service to our customers, external partners agencies and internal stakeholders to drive referrals.
• Maintain and develop collaboration of the two-way referral process with colleagues in housing, income management team, and other internal stakeholders to support sustainable tenancies.
• Attend local job fair/recruitment events to promote Riverside Employment and Training offer, maximise referrals from 3rd parties and gain potential opportunities for the caseload of customers.
• Scope opportunities for training, skills development and volunteering that could lead to employment with supply chain and local employers.
• Work with Riverside's supply chain and Riverside's Talent Acquisition team to ensure we maximise employment, training and volunteering opportunities within the contracts we award as well as ensuring monitoring systems are in place to track delivery.
• Work with partner agencies, colleges, adult education and other training services to develop training programmes and apprenticeships for customers.
• Work collaboratively with partners and support agencies in the local area for which customers can be referred to for training and work-related activities to personally develop and enhance chance of opportunity to secure employment.
• Provide an outreach programme in priority areas to engage with customers offering a holistic service that meets their individual needs.
• Complete customer registrations, identifying training and skills needs to create and develop a SMART action plan to support achievement of customer goals.
• Effectively manage a caseload of customers, matching customer needs with local opportunities ensuring confidential case records support the customer journey and recorded within required systems.
• Work to KPIs and targets, recording and monitoring your own performance.
• Ensure service delivery complies with Riverside policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity, data protection, communication and Health and Safety.
• Undertake personal development and training as necessary to keep up to date with Housing Legislation and Service Delivery skills.

Person specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential

• Experience of providing support to customers, both one to and in group settings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Ability to work autonomously and a can-do attitude
• Experience of seeking best practice to drive continuous improvements.
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload to achieve personal and team targets
• Understanding and knowledge of confidentiality, date protection and equality and diversity
• Awareness of the importance of health and safety issues
• Valid Driving License with access to a vehicle for business use

Desirable

• GCSE in Maths and English
• Experience of providing information, advice and guidance for customers seeking to move into employment, training, and related opportunities, including those experiencing significant barriers to employment and training; including young people, lone parents and those who have not worked for some time
• Experience of networking to secure opportunities, in a sales or similar setting
• IAG or CIAG professional qualification or equivalent experience

About Us:
Riverside is one of the UK's leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.

Skills Required