Pivotal Homes

Pivotal Homes Apprenticeship Success Story
Lee Britton – Learning & Development Coordinator

What was particularly helpful, was the help from Zoe Little in setting up our company on the Government website, granting us access to Levy funding. This was the first time setting such a thing up for me, and the process was complicated but Zoe’s personability and expertise in this area helped to smooth out any snags by providing me with the guidance required.
Lee Britton – Learning & Development Coordinator

Tell us briefly about your business and your role.

At Pivotal Homes, the focus is on providing housing solutions and commissioned support services for people experiencing homelessness in Bournemouth. Like many organisations, Pivotal Homes wanted to strengthen staff retention by offering meaningful development opportunities.
Pivotal partnered with Fareport Training to introduce apprenticeships as a way to help employees build new skills and gain recognised qualifications while continuing their valuable work.

What challenge or goal led you to work with Fareport?

Pivotal Homes was looking for a training solution that would support staff development and help retain talented individuals. They needed a provider who could guide them through the sometimes complex processes involved in setting up and accessing apprenticeship funding.

The Fareport Approach

One of the key areas where Fareport made a difference was in supporting the organisation with setting up on the Government apprenticeship system and securing Levy funding — an area that was new and unfamiliar to Pivotal’s internal team. With expert guidance from Fareport’s staff, including detailed support from Zoe Little, the set-up process was completed smoothly, with clear direction and responsive assistance throughout.

What has been the biggest benefit of the apprenticeship/training for your team?

Since working with Fareport:

There has been a marked shift in staff morale, with employees now aware that training and development opportunities are available — addressing a previously common concern.
One team member who had been considering leaving for new opportunities secured a significantly more senior role after completing a Level 5 Management and Operations apprenticeship, citing the qualification as a decisive factor in their career progression.
Fareport’s flexible delivery, including alternative assessment methods for learners with differing strengths, ensured that apprentices could succeed irrespective of literacy challenges or work commitments.
In one case, Fareport even facilitated the continuation of an apprenticeship when the learner changed employers mid-course, ensuring consistency and successful completion.

Can you share one specific example of positive change since working with us?

One staff member that had been seeking roles elsewhere for years, was successful in securing a new job that was a considerable step up for them. They feel that being in the process of completing a Level 5 Management and Operations course was what lent them the extra credentials required.

How would you describe your overall experience in a few words?

The whole process, from initial meetings with Fareport staff, to the delivery of training has been incredible. Alternative assessment methods are provided for those learners whose literacy skills are not their greatest strength, and tutors have been very flexible and creative in meeting the needs of learners around their busy job roles. They even facilitated a transfer for one candidate that gained a job elsewhere mid-course, so they were able to continue studying at the new company.