Armed Forces veterans, care leavers and homeless people are among thousands benefiting from a Liverpool City Region scheme designed to help residents find and keep jobs.
Part of the Government’s £3.5bn ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy coupled with the City Region’s ambition for an inclusive, productive economy where no one is left behind, the Connect to Work programme is supporting people who are disabled, have long-term health conditions, or face complex personal challenges into employment.
The scheme also offers help to people already in work but at risk of losing their job, ensuring they can remain in secure and sustainable employment.
The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority was awarded tens of millions of pounds of funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in March to help support residents across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.
Delivered by the City Region’s six local authorities, Connect to Work engages with jobseekers, support organisations and employers and offers two types of assistance: Individual Placement and Support (IPS) and the new Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF) which offers a more intensive level of support.
Jobseekers receive personalised, one-to-one support from employment specialists working on their individual strengths, circumstances, and goals while taking into account any extra help or adjustments they may need.
Connect to Work delivers employment, health, and skills support through a ‘place, train, and maintain’ model to assist people in finding and keeping jobs.
Meanwhile, it enables employers to access a pool of motivated individuals who may be underrepresented in the workforce, and support organisations benefit by being able to offer further expertise to help the people they work with into employment.
‘Joseph’ from Knowsley has just secured full-time work through the programme. He said: “My employment specialist helped me find suitable jobs which I was struggling to manage. This improved my search and built up my confidence to apply. They helped me stay focused on what I wanted to achieve, encouraged me and helped me get over any issues I had.
“I’m really pleased with this new job. I’ve got responsibilities which makes me feel valued and I feel very positive. My advisor is still in touch with me, but now they are helping me settle into the role and are supporting me with anything I find new or challenging. It’s nice to know there is still someone there to help.”
The programme is FREE to access with no cost to jobseekers, support organisations or employers.
Anyone can refer a person to the Connect to Work programme. You can even refer yourself. More information on how to get involved is available here: https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/connect-to-work