How Access Training transforms skills, careers and communities

Building Futures

Across the country, due to health conditions, caring responsibilities, or a lack of qualifications, too many people find themselves excluded from the labour market. Young school leavers often struggle to take their next steps, and employers continue to report skills shortages that hold back economic growth.

At Access Training we tackle these issues directly, helping individuals gain meaningful employment and giving businesses access to the skilled workforce they need. We’re a training provider driven by a single mission, to provide individuals with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to build better futures.

With the Get Britain Working White Paper the government has signalled a desire for skills and employment programmes that are tailored to the local community. We are co-owned by Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) and Futures Housing Group (FHG), so our programmes are deeply aligned with the needs of social housing residents and communities in the East Midlands. This makes us uniquely positioned to understand the challenges individuals and communities face when accessing employment and training.

Supporting local people into work

Our approach focuses on removing barriers to employment, whether that means providing vocational qualifications, boosting confidence, or offering dedicated employability support. Through partnerships with local job centres, community organisations, and employers, we ensure that people who need help the most can access training that leads to sustainable employment.

A significant part of our work focuses on reducing barriers into construction and adult social care, two sectors facing critical labour shortages. 33% of our training for unemployed residents supports entry into construction. We fund Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cards that enable participants to work on-site. This cost is not covered by standard funding but essential for employment in the sector.

For young people in Nottingham who leave school with few qualifications, our Full-Time Study Programmes provide vocational training, life skills, and pastoral support, ensuring that they can move towards work rather than becoming Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). Each year, we help around 60 young people take their first steps into a career.
Over the past year, we have supported 1,147 individuals through our various training programmes, delivering 392 qualifications to unemployed residents across the East Midlands.

The power of Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a crucial part of our approach too, helping both individuals and employers fill skill gaps. Through our Property Maintenance Operative (PMO) apprenticeships, NCHA offers opportunities to local young people. This addresses both youth unemployment and skills shortages in the housing sector. Similarly, our Adult Social Care apprenticeships support staff development in a sector that desperately needs skilled workers, benefiting not just employers but also the wider community.

A commitment to Social Impact

As a purpose driven organisation, our work is about more than just skills training. It’s about creating real social impact. Last year alone, we delivered £6.7 million in Social Return on Investment (SROI), demonstrating the value of our work in changing lives and strengthening communities. With key government missions including removing barriers to growth and opportunity, ours is an approach which could be worth considering for organisations around the country.

By continuing to provide high-quality training, expanding access to apprenticeships, and working closely with employers, we hope to break down employment barriers and create lasting opportunities.
If you’re an employer looking to recruit skilled staff, or an individual seeking support into work, Access Training is here to help.

For more information, visit the Access Training website.