Kennedy Scott's innovative MPS Pre-Employment training course, which helps people who have been unemployed for some time gain jobs with London’s police service, has won a coveted National Training Award for Greater London 2006.   The four-week intensive course unlocks the potential of unemployed people and increases their chances of being accepted as Metropolitan Police Community Support Officers. The pre-employment programme helps potential applicants demonstrate that they have the required competencies for the police service. The need for this programme was identified by Jobcentre Plus, after they realised that only a very small percentage of JCP customers who applied for roles with the Metropolitan Police Service were successful.

Kennedy Scott are funded by Jobcentre Plus to deliver training that increases this percentage and meets the needs of JCP customers. “Candidates usually only give examples taken from recent work experience and those who have been out of work for a long time can often struggle to make successful applications,” says Kennedy Scott’s Managing Director Teresa Scott. 

Our course familiarises learners with the roles the police are recruiting for, identifies their skills and past experiences and matches them to the core competencies required for each role. It also builds confidence, helps them understand the police application process and develops team-working skills.   Between August 2004 and March 2006 159 learners have been selected for interview – 105 of these have already gained job offers and have started rewarding careers within the Metropolitan Police and some have already been promoted.

We receive Jobcentre Plus and ESF co-financing to deliver the programme on behalf of the Met Police and it has proved so successful that funding has been secured for a further two years.Teresa Scott describes its impact as “life changing”.  She said: “This project differs from the mainstream options available to the unemployed, by offering a tailored employment routeway whilst comprehensively fulfilling the recruitment requirements of the employer.” 

Kennedy Scott attended the prestigious National Training Awards ceremony at the Whitehall Banqueting House on 10th October. TV journalist Suzi Perry presented KS with their award as Greater London Regional Winners. Representing KS were Managing Director Teresa Scott, Director of Special Projects Daniel Johnston, Implementation Manager Steve Woolcock, Communications Co-ordinator Helen Keating, Training Co-ordinator Chrissy French, Course Leader Keith Oakins and Course Administrator Yemi Solanke. We were delighted to welcome to our table Graham Spencer, Head of Extended Policing/Family Recruitment for the Metropolitan Police Service and Shazia Saheb, one of the course’s success stories. 

Shazia had been unemployed for eight months prior to joining the course. She was interested in working for the Metropolitan Police, but lacked the confidence to apply. Shazia spotted a poster advertising Kennedy Scott at her local Jobcentre and realised that the course could provide support that would help her attain her career goals. 

Once Shazia started the course, she was pleasantly surprised by friendly atmosphere and built good relationships with rest of group, who all helped each other to work towards the MPS standards. Shazia’s interview, which took place one week after course, was nerve-racking but knowing what was expected from her helped to make her confident.  She is now working as a Police Community Support Officer and is part of a team covering Caledonian area of Islington in Central London