Cosmic is delighted to have joined the IEP, reinforcing our long‑standing commitment to strengthening employability provision through high‑quality digital capability and workforce development.
As a social enterprise working across the South west for 30 years at the intersection of inclusion, digital skills, and employability, we work with employability providers, local authorities, charities and employers to embed practical, relevant digital capability into employability pathways. This supports people to move closer to work, sustain employment and progress in an increasingly digital labour market.
Cosmic has supported employability programmes for many years through the design and delivery of digital skills training. This includes work with prime providers and partners on programmes such as Restart, Connect to Work and other commissioned employability services, where digital confidence, Essential Digital Skills and increasingly AI capability play a critical role in job search, workplace readiness and ongoing progression. Our approach focuses predominately on 1:1 delivery, and not only on technical competence, but on confidence, relevance and real‑world application, helping participants understand how digital skills support their wider employability journey, rather than treating them as an isolated intervention. Across all models, Cosmic works closely with delivery partners to integrate digital capability in a way that complements frontline practice and meets the needs of participants and employers.
Alongside participant‑facing delivery, Cosmic also supports organisations themselves through workforce development and transformation consultancy to help employees, and leaders respond effectively to digital change, including the growing impact of automation and artificial intelligence on the labour market.
Most recently, Cosmic played a central role in a DSIT digital inclusion innovation pilot led by FutureDotNow, working in partnership with Accenture and City & Guilds. Building on our existing Restart delivery, the pilot explored how Essential Digital Skills and emerging AI capability can be embedded more effectively within employability programmes. Cosmic led on curriculum enhancement and delivery, ensuring the approach was practical, inclusive and grounded in frontline employability practice. The pilot generated valuable learning, employer insight and reusable tools designed to support employability professionals to adapt confidently to rapid technological change.
Joining the IEP as a Capability Partner is an important step for Cosmic. We see the IEP as a vital professional body that champions quality, ethics and continuous improvement across the employability sector. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to evidence‑based practice and improving outcomes for people who face barriers to work.
We look forward to working with the IEP and its members to share learning, strengthen professional capability and support more people into sustainable, meaningful employment.