Twenty Years of Focusing First On People

For Focusing First On People, training has never been only about what happens in a classroom.

Over roughly two decades, FFOP has worked with people trying to find employment, return to education or build something for themselves. Some come with a clear plan. Others need help deciding what their next step should be.

According to FFOP's own organisational figures, its work has supported more than 10,000 people into employment, more than 3,000 into further education and hundreds to start businesses. These figures reflect FFOP's reported history and should be accompanied by supporting records when they are formally published as impact totals.

The organisation's work has covered practical qualifications, English and maths, employment preparation and other training linked to people's goals. More recently, FFOP has been developing a wider offer in digital learning, professional certification and support for employers and other education providers.

The tools and qualifications change over time. The basic question does not: what does this person need in order to take the next step?

FFOP is now looking at how its experience can contribute to new partnerships, including with community organisations, schools, employers and universities. That includes listening to the people those organisations serve, not simply offering them a course from a list.

This page is the beginning of a fuller record of FFOP's work. Case studies, previous projects, learner accounts and documents will be added as they are gathered and checked. The aim is to show what has been done, what has worked and what still needs attention.