Key points:
- Digital skills improve access to job opportunities
- Wrap-around support strengthens job search confidence
- Joined-up services lead to sustained employment
Evidence content
For many learners, the barrier to employment is not willingness to work, but confidence, direction and the ability to navigate the job market effectively.
Lambeth Adult Learning’s approach combines digital skills training with employment-focused, wrap-around support – helping learners build both capability and confidence.
Dominika moved to the UK from Poland in 2005 and had worked in retail and care roles, but struggled to find secure, well-paid employment. At the point of joining the course, she was unemployed and looking for a new direction.
Dominika completed a Digital Skills for Work course after being referred by Jobcentre Plus, with the aim of improving both her digital and employability skills.
The course helped her build confidence using computers and programmes such as Microsoft Office, while also creating opportunities to practise skills in a supportive environment.
“A specific positive experience she recalled was using PowerPoint to deliver a presentation in class… This helped her to reflect on her future goals and improved her public speaking, which was later useful in job interviews.”
Alongside this, Dominika was actively searching for work but found the process difficult and isolating. She described feeling “lost and desperate” while trying to apply for jobs on her own.
A key turning point was accessing the Job Club at High Trees, which provided structured, ongoing support with job searching, applications and exploring different sectors.
This support was further strengthened through partnership working. Dominika was referred to Smart Works for interview preparation and professional clothing – support she would not have accessed independently.
Together, this created a joined-up approach:
- digital skills from the course
- job search support through the Job Club
- external support through partner organisations
This combination helped build confidence, independence and a clearer sense of direction.
As a result, Dominika successfully applied for, interviewed for and secured a job as a chef in a hotel restaurant.
She described her experience at High Trees as “personal and progressive” and said the Job Club came into her life at a “pivotal time”.
The impact extended beyond employment. Dominika reported improved wellbeing, reduced stress and a greater sense of stability.
She now feels more hopeful about her future and able to “live life more”, with the confidence to plan ahead and continue developing her career.
This case highlights the value of combining skills development with tailored, ongoing support. By working across services and focusing on the whole learner journey, adult learning can help individuals move from uncertainty into sustained employment.
One learner who was initially very quiet and almost non-verbal is now much more confident communicating with classmates and tutors, and has expressed an interest in becoming a kitchen porter.
London Borough of Lambeth
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- Lambeth key USP point relating to service
- Lambeth key USP point relating to service
- Lambeth key USP point relating to service
- Lambeth key USP point relating to service
