Red Cannon Launchpad
A smarter route from entry-level talent to long-term employment.
Red Cannon Launchpad is our workforce development service. It helps growing businesses create structured routes for new people to enter, develop within and potentially build a long-term career in the organisation.
More than recruitment. A pathway.
Rather than simply filling an existing vacancy, we work with the employer to understand where the business needs support, identify relevant employment or training opportunities, create the role, recruit suitable candidates and help coordinate the pathway towards longer-term employment.
You don't need to understand every funding programme, training provider or employment scheme. Red Cannon helps bring the pieces together and stays involved throughout the process.
Funding, eligibility and programme availability vary depending on the employer, candidate and schemes available at the time.
Why use Red Cannon Launchpad?
Businesses often know they need additional support but may be unsure:
- –What role they actually need
- –Whether they can justify another permanent salary
- –What funding or employment support may be available
- –Whether an internship or apprenticeship could work
- –Which programmes or training providers are relevant
- –How to find suitable candidates
- –How to create a route from entry-level employment into a long-term role
Red Cannon helps coordinate the process.
- One point of contact throughout the process
- Business and workforce needs analysis
- Identification of relevant funding and support
- Role and opportunity design
- Candidate attraction and recruitment
- Interview and selection support
- Coordination with relevant programme or training partners
- Continued support through the placement
- Planning for apprenticeship, training or permanent employment where appropriate
Step by step
The Launchpad pathway
Business needs analysis
We begin with the business rather than a pre-written job description. We discuss where capacity is stretched, where the business is growing and what responsibilities could potentially be taken on by a new team member. The aim is to identify a genuine business need before deciding which hiring route makes sense.
Identify funding & support
Red Cannon helps identify relevant local and national employment, training and workforce programmes that may support the opportunity. This may include funded internships, employment programmes, apprenticeship funding, training support or other employer initiatives. Funding is never guaranteed and eligibility varies.
Create the opportunity
We help turn the business need into a clear role or development opportunity, covering responsibilities, hours and working pattern, candidate profile, development opportunities, potential progression, equipment, onboarding requirements and interview structure.
Recruit candidates
Red Cannon manages candidate attraction and recruitment, including advertising, direct sourcing, screening, candidate conversations, shortlisting and interview coordination. The objective is not simply to find somebody eligible for a programme — it is to find somebody who could genuinely fit and contribute to the business.
Interview & selection
We can help create an interview and assessment process appropriate for an entry-level or developmental hire. This may include practical tasks, scenario-based questions and assessing attitude and potential rather than relying entirely on previous experience.
Internship or initial placement
Where appropriate, the candidate may begin through a funded internship, supported placement or another suitable entry route. This gives the employer and candidate an opportunity to assess the fit while the individual begins learning the role and contributing to the business.
Apprenticeship or training
If the initial placement is successful, Red Cannon can help the employer explore relevant apprenticeship or training pathways. This can create structured development while potentially accessing available training funding or employer support.
Long-term employment
The objective is sustainable employment. Where the candidate and business are a good match, the pathway can progress towards longer-term or permanent employment.
Funding, programme availability and eligibility criteria change regularly. Red Cannon does not guarantee funding. We help employers identify and explore relevant opportunities available at the time.
Is this right for you?
Who Launchpad is for
Businesses creating a new role
For businesses growing into a new function or department.
SMEs needing additional capacity
For owner-managed businesses where existing staff are stretched and additional support could unlock growth.
Businesses considering entry-level talent
For employers open to developing somebody with the right attitude and potential rather than requiring years of previous experience.
Businesses interested in apprenticeships
For employers wanting to develop skills internally and explore apprenticeship support.
Businesses unsure what they need
Launchpad can begin before a job description exists. Red Cannon can help identify where an additional person could create the greatest impact.
One pathway, different routes
Every business and candidate is different. Some opportunities may begin with a funded internship and progress into an apprenticeship. Others may move directly into employment or use a different training route. Red Cannon helps identify the pathway that makes the most sense for the situation.
Example Launchpad pathway
Example pathway only. Individual routes vary.
Growing SME needs finance support
Business identifies pressure around invoicing, credit control and administration.
Red Cannon helps define a Finance Administrator opportunity.
Relevant funded employment support is explored.
Candidates are recruited and interviewed.
Selected candidate begins an internship or initial placement.
Employer and candidate assess the long-term fit.
Apprenticeship or further training is explored where appropriate.
Candidate progresses towards longer-term employment.
Want to explore what Launchpad could look like for your business?
You don't need to already have a job description or know which programme you need. Tell us where your business needs support and we'll help you explore the options.