A leading training provider has been approved to deliver a new apprenticeship addressing complex barriers to employment.

Tutors at PHX Training will deliver the new Employability Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard Level Four to develop knowledge and skills among hard-to-help individuals to help them secure suitable and sustainable work.

They will also be responsible for coaching and mentoring of staff under the Institute for Apprenticeships programme.

Shirley Williams, development director of PHX Training, said: “This requires specialist training and the end goal is to help this group of people find employment.

"If they are already employed then we hope to help them progress further.

“As part of this work we will also be liaising with employers on behalf of the trainees to find the right opportunities for them based on their wants, needs and aspirational employment and career goals.”

Individuals in this group may include those who may have mental health conditions, physical health conditions, disabilities, social barriers, addiction or substance misuse, low levels of education, language barriers or financial difficulties.

PHX Training will deliver employability support through local and national contracts across services including back to work programmes, careers advice and guidance and skills development.

PHX Training offers support in several industries including warehousing, retail, business and administration, hospitality, team leading and security industry training.

The team delivers government-backed initiatives, adult skills, NEET (not in education, employment or training), employability contracts, apprenticeship training and work-based learning programmes.

The firm's head office is based in Barrow and delivers a range of resources including offline, online and face-to-face services at training centres in Carlisle, Workington, Morecambe, Preston and Blackpool.