Futures Academy Blog – My Potential, My Future

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The Futures Academy kicked off in the first week of February and what a fantastic start it has been! Read more

Gender Equality in Business

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With recent high-profile cases highlighting the issue of gender equality in the workplace more than ever before, does Wales fare better or worse than the wider UK, and what support is out there for businesses seeking to make a real difference within their workforce? Read more

Underemployment: what is it, and how is it affecting workers in Swansea?

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Recent figures have shown that Wales has the highest rate of underemployment in the UK, with employment patterns in Swansea indicating a similar trend. Here, Cath Jenkins, Employability Partnerships and Programmes Manager at Better Jobs, Better Futures, explains underemployment, its effects, and what is being done to tackle the issue. Read more

SMEs: You Have The Power

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“Small firms are the lifeblood of the Welsh economy, representing 99% of all registered businesses.” [1]

The importance of SMEs to the economic development and prosperity of Wales cannot be overstated. Governments are acutely aware of the importance of a thriving private sector, and the recent publication of the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and the Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan signal a welcome emphasis on addressing the critical economic challenges facing small and larger businesses.  Read more

New year, new opportunities

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The new year can be an ideal time to consider a new career opportunity but for many people just knowing where to start can be the biggest hurdle!

If you are in employment and considering a career change, seeking a return to employment after spending time out of the world of work, or simply looking for that all important first job, you could benefit from the support available through Gower College Swansea’s Better Jobs, Better Futures programme. Read more

The Recruitment Minefield: Why it’s so easy to make bad recruiting decisions and how to avoid repeating them

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As a business owner, HR Manager or line manager, you’ve probably experienced the downsides of recruiting. Getting it wrong can be time consuming, stressful and costly. But with recruitment so often being a guessing game, trying to filter out those candidates who are simply experts at navigating the process from those with true talent and potential can be a seemingly impossible task, particularly when you’re under pressure to fill the role now! Read more

Swansea workforce programme continues growth

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-Better Jobs, Better Futures welcome seven new appointments-

A new programme designed to strengthen Swansea’s workforce has welcomed several new appointments to its team.

Better Jobs, Better Futures, which is run by Gower College Swansea, has taken on a number of new staff within their Workforce and Recruitment teams to further develop their support for local businesses.  Read more

The big workforce challenge

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What the economy is telling us (and what record employment levels may be hiding)

At face value, recent news highlighting record levels of employment would appear to suggest a very healthy picture for businesses across Wales, but look beneath the surface and it seems the welcome continued decrease in unemployment levels may be masking the real workforce challenge. The issue now appears to be more about underemployment, and the underutilisation of the existing workforce, which is having a direct impact on the levels of productivity.

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3 ways Better Jobs, Better Futures can help businesses across Swansea

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Better Jobs, Better Futures is a brand new programme from Gower College Swansea aimed at supporting businesses to recruit, retain and progress their staff. We work with businesses who employ people from Swansea and the surrounding areas to deliver a wide range of support aimed at enhancing employee engagement and improving workplace planning, progression and productivity. Through expert career coaching and access to the college’s wider portfolio of skills support, we work with individuals who are seeking new or better work to match them into opportunities with local employers and equip them to be effective employees. Read more

Better Jobs, Better Futures: 3 ways Swansea’s brand new employability initiative is one of a kind

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‘Better Jobs, Better Futures’ is a new employability programme supporting people in Swansea seeking new or better employment and businesses seeking to develop and expand their workforce. Here, Employability Partnerships and Programmes Manager, Cath Jenkins, takes us through how Better Jobs, Better Futures, is different to any other employability programme. Read more