This resource is a case study examining the inclusive employment practices of Explosive Learning Solutions (ELS), a learning and consultancy company based at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, ELS supports SMEs and charities to engage effectively with public sector procurement, with a strong emphasis on apprenticeships, workforce inclusion, and the delivery of social value.
The case study is structured around OIEP’s six principles for inclusive employment and provides real-world examples of how these principles can be embedded in business practice. It covers ELS’s person-centred, place-based approach to workforce development; its commitment to inclusive learning pathways and community engagement; and the role of lived experience in shaping leadership and organisational design. The document also highlights ELS’s work with veteran-led and mission-driven organisations, its recognition of diversity within diverse workforces, and its trauma-aware approach to learning and consultancy delivery.
In addition, the case study outlines ELS’s internal inclusive practices, including apprenticeship progression routes, continuous professional development, inclusive leadership training, and a culture of staff voice and wellbeing. Overall, the resource demonstrates how equipping local organisations with the skills and confidence to participate in public procurement can unlock inclusive, sustainable employment opportunities that are rooted in local strengths and community needs.
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