People in Staffordshire who may struggle to work due to health conditions or other barriers can now access the support they need through a county council-run programme.
Connect to Work will provide participants with intensive employment support for up to 12 months.
Help includes early access to jobs based on people’s preferences, job and skills matching, on the job training and help to sustain employment – which might include job coaching at work, training, support from a workplace mentor and regular workplace reviews.
There will also be support for up to four months for people in-work but who are at risk of losing their job.
A new webpage is live which provides all the information about the programme which will support people looking for work, an organisation working with eligible people who could benefit or a business looking to fill positions with dedicated employees.
It can be found at the Staffordshire Jobs and Careers service website.
Support will also be provided to employers as well as tailored self-employment support where appropriate.
The county council has now appointed specialist organisations to provide its various elements. They include Intuitive Thinking Skills, The Growth Company, Mencap and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which will run the programme across the city.
Connect to Work joins up local health and employment support so that people have a better chance of finding work and retaining their position.
The five-year programme will enable people to gain sustainable long-term employment, skills development and improved health.
Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s acting leader and cabinet member for economy and skills said:
Everyone in our county should have the right to access meaningful employment, whatever their circumstances.
Many people with perceived barriers to work are determined to overcome them and gain employment that is matched to their needs.
This can boost their self-confidence, skills development and future life chances. And the programme can help county employers to find candidates for their growing opportunities, supported by our providers.
The programme is now live so we’d urge interested people to visit the website, find out more and take the first steps.
As a county council we’re committed to fulfilling the potential of all our residents, improving lives and communities here at the beating heart of the country.”
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and cabinet member for economic development, said:
We are proud to be a partner for the Connect to Work programme, working with Staffordshire County Council and DWP to deliver the service across our city and the county.
In Stoke-on-Trent, the programme will build on the fantastic work of our JET (Jobs, Enterprise and Training) service, which has supported more than 10,000 residents with employment advice since it was established in 2009.
Specifically, this five-year programme - set up with Government funding - will have a real focus on helping people break down barriers and inequalities that have made it difficult for them to find work. It also ties into our vision to strive to be a healthier, wealthier and fairer city."
There is a total investment of £19million in the programme across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent over five years.
The programme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and delivered by Staffordshire County Council, in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Council and expert providers across the county.
Connect to Work is one the key programmes to deliver the broader Get Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Working Plan which aims to increase employment, tackle economic inactivity and create opportunities for all residents.
