The Forward Trust’s Trainee Programme offers a way into full-time employment for people who lack work experience, or the relevant skills needed in a desired industry. These roles are aimed at supporting people with lived experience, particularly (although not exclusively) former service users. Trainee roles can be designated in any Forward service or central service team.
As for any employee, Trainees need to complete a probationary period of 6 months, which can be extended if the manager considers it necessary. Once Trainees have passed their probationary period and completed their training, they will be considered as a permanent member of staff, with the relevant contractual rights and salary level for the role.
At Forward, we are developing a number of sector-specific training and professional development programmes that Trainees will access and benefit from. In the meantime, recruiting teams must specify what training is provided for Trainees and share this with HR prior to recruitment.
Trainees must be given sufficient time in their working week for study or to access courses. While this may vary depending on the role, it is expected for this to be two days per week on average in the initial 2-month period, and a further 20 days across the remainder of the probationary period.
As outlined above, Traineeships can also be accessed via our Lived Experience Employment Pathway, which provides structured opportunities for our service users to progress from voluntary roles into paid employment, with training and support provided at each step. There are four steps in the LEEP:
Peer Supporter – an entry level voluntary role for current service users with lived or living experience.
Peer Mentor – an advanced voluntary role with wider duties for people no longer using our services.
Trainee – as outlined in the Forward Trainee Programme.
Peer Support Worker – a permanent paid role for people with lived experience.
For guidance on the support and training provided for these different roles, please get in touch via recruitment@forwardtrust.org.uk.
Our traineeships are for individuals with one or more of the following characteristics:
Lived experience of recovery or offending.
Limited work experience.
A lack sufficient subject knowledge or relevant experience to qualify for standard practitioner roles.
Please note that all trainees need to be ‘work ready’ and should be able to attend all required working hours in a professional manner.
For more information or to enquire about Forward’s Trainee Programme, please get in touch: recruitment@forwardtrust.org.uk.
