A new qualification providing students with the skills and knowledge to protect themselves from labour abuse will launch next week.
The Level 1 Award in Workers’ Rights and Labour Exploitation has been developed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) in partnership with the Skills and Education Group, the University of Nottingham’s Rights Lab and Boston College in Lincolnshire.
One thousand young adults are expected to take part in the pilot project across a range of colleges and other educational establishments from February 1.
The 10-hour course has been designed specifically for those entering the world of work. Students will be given a crash course in understanding their rights in the workplace, covering everything from how to apply for jobs safely to the National Minimum Wage, holiday pay and reading payslips.
They will also be taught how to identify the main signs of modern slavery and labour exploitation, and the ways they can report concerns to the GLAA and law enforcement.
The course will be highly interactive, featuring videos and case studies which can either be delivered online or in a classroom setting once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Students will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examinations at the end of the project, which will be regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).