First Employability Day launches with celebrations in communities across the UK

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Today, the first ever UK Employability Day is celebrating the work of jobseekers, advisers and employers.  Doors to over 70 employment support centres across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are being opened to showcase the great work which transforms jobseekers’ lives.

The employment support sector has a phenomenal impact on UK life and is a key public service.  On the Work Programme alone over half a million people have been supported into long term work, whilst the specialist disability scheme, Work Choice, has helped over 40,000 people into employment. However, the sector is far more diverse than government schemes. Charities, local authorities, housing associations and social enterprises all deliver services to local people, helping a diverse range of jobseekers change their lives and that of their families and communities.

The sector’s work often takes place unnoticed in local communities, both in terms of its impact and in its day to day practicalities. Providing support for those seeking work, particularly the long term unemployed, requires a combined effort from people and organisations including employment support providers, other local partners, jobseekers themselves and employers. Employability Day is being coordinated by ERSA, the representative body for the employment support sector, to open doors to the wider community to demonstrate the diverse work taking place at the frontline and encourage even greater involvement within communities to help support local jobseekers towards the labour market.

Organisations are celebrating the day through a variety of means including:

  • Homelessness charity Centrepoint is making a Vlog celebrating the achievement of young people who they support in moving into work;
  • Specialist disability provider Papworth Trust is running a Tai Chi session for jobseekers on Employment and Support Allowance, amongst other activities;
  • CAIS, a charity working in North Wales, is holding a drop in session to showcase the opportunities on offer for those seeking a way into the workplace;
  • PeoplePlus is holding a employability hustings in Derry/ Londonderry; and
  • Fife Council’s Supported Employment Service is holding an open event in a local shopping centre to raise awareness of its team and its work.

Employment Minister Priti Patel said:

“Employability Day is a great opportunity to demonstrate how employment supports growth and strengthens the aspirations of local people and businesses across the country.

“We have taken huge strides in recent years to get more people into work and help boost employment to record levels as part of our one nation commitment to extend opportunity to all. 

“Building on these achievements, we are taking steps like developing a new Work and Health Programme to ensure that services are targeted to those who need them most, including the long-term unemployed and people with health conditions and disabilities.”

ERSA Chief Executive, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“Truly exceptional work is taking place across the UK by organisations in the employment support sector, yet not enough is understood about its real impacts. Employability Day is an opportunity for frontline experts to demonstrate the work that takes place in their local communities, from running wellbeing sessions to delivering skills qualifications, and encourage the wider community, friends, families and employers to join together and help their local teams and the jobseekers they support.”

Discover Youth Friendly Employers

Careers in Eyecare From healthcare lab to high street fashion - you don't need a degree to open your eyes to eyecare careers EXPLORE The British Library Work experience, internships and apprenticeships with The British Library open up a WORLD of possibilities. EXPLORE VHR Technical Recruitment The VHR talent academy can help you get into a successful technical recruitment career - with NO experience! EXPLORE NCFE Vocational Qualifications Young people get amazing perks when they work for the NCFE, with apprenticeships and more. The training is great, too. EXPLORE Careers in Racing Horse racing is a great career choice! British Racing is the 2nd largest spectator sport after football. EXPLORE IHG Early Careers Discover how you can grow your career in hospitality! EXPLORE Get Into Teaching You can get a teaching degree for FREE with apprenticeships! EXPLORE Surrey County Council Careers Thinking about rewarding apprenticeships and early careers in a diverse environment? Fire up your career with SCC! EXPLORE Essex Youth Service Aged 13-25 and live in Essex? Get involved in fun activities, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and online Plan B Traineeships. EXPLORE Generation: Free Skills Training Get FREE skills and careers training today! Generation gives you skills and connects you with employers to find a job fast. EXPLORE Aspiration Training Traineeships & Apprenticeships in childcare, dental nursing, teaching, health/social care, and business admin EXPLORE Environment Agency Careers Our work helps to protect and improve the environment to make it a better place for people and wildlife. Join us! EXPLORE Martin Brower Careers Break into business, admin and supply careers with Martin Brower. Don't settle for the status quo. EXPLORE ABP Foods Apprenticeships, graduate schemes and an AMAZING early careers academy in the world of sustainable food EXPLORE Catch22 Youth Services Want to overcome barriers in life, whatever your background? Want employers to give you a chance? We can help. EXPLORE Coach Core Apprenticeships See how Coach Core Apprenticeships get you into sport careers EXPLORE Coca-Cola EuroPacific Want to work for one of the most well-known brands in the world? They work hard to develop their young people! EXPLORE Haven Joining Haven is more than just a job. Our early careers are a breath of fresh air! EXPLORE Historic England Discover early careers in heritage for all backgrounds, skills and interests. EXPLORE Working in local government Local government touches everyone's lives every day EXPLORE McDonald's Early Careers You probably knew you can get McDonald's Apprenticeships. Did you know you can also study for a FREE Management Degree? EXPLORE Pret Apprenticeships & Careers When you apply for a Pret Apprenticeship or junior role, you’ll belong to a community of achievers. Get support on your own unique career journey! EXPLORE Prezzo Restaurant Careers Prezzo offers so many early careers, from cooking great food and giving great customer service to managing like a boss! EXPLORE Royal Air Force There’s nothing like a career in the RAF, it’s not just a job but a way of living. EXPLORE Severn Trent Careers Discover opportunities for apprentices, graduates and undergraduates in the office and beyond! EXPLORE
Severn Trent
The British Library

Email us at info@youthemployment.org.uk or call 01536 513388.

First Employability Day launches with celebrations in communities across the UK

 

Today, the first ever UK Employability Day is celebrating the work of jobseekers, advisers and employers.  Doors to over 70 employment support centres across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are being opened to showcase the great work which transforms jobseekers’ lives.

 

The employment support sector has a phenomenal impact on UK life and is a key public service.  On the Work Programme alone over half a million people have been supported into long term work, whilst the specialist disability scheme, Work Choice, has helped over 40,000 people into employment. However, the sector is far more diverse than government schemes. Charities, local authorities, housing associations and social enterprises all deliver services to local people, helping a diverse range of jobseekers change their lives and that of their families and communities.

 

The sector’s work often takes place unnoticed in local communities, both in terms of its impact and in its day to day practicalities. Providing support for those seeking work, particularly the long term unemployed, requires a combined effort from people and organisations including employment support providers, other local partners, jobseekers themselves and employers. Employability Day is being coordinated by ERSA, the representative body for the employment support sector, to open doors to the wider community to demonstrate the diverse work taking place at the frontline and encourage even greater involvement within communities to help support local jobseekers towards the labour market.

 

Organisations are celebrating the day through a variety of means including:

 

  • Homelessness charity Centrepoint is making a Vlog celebrating the achievement of young people who they support in moving into work;
  • Specialist disability provider Papworth Trust is running a Tai Chi session for jobseekers on Employment and Support Allowance, amongst other activities;
  • CAIS, a charity working in North Wales, is holding a drop in session to showcase the opportunities on offer for those seeking a way into the workplace;
  • PeoplePlus is holding a employability hustings in Derry/ Londonderry; and
  • Fife Council’s Supported Employment Service is holding an open event in a local shopping centre to raise awareness of its team and its work.

 

Employment Minister Priti Patel said:

 

“Employability Day is a great opportunity to demonstrate how employment supports growth and strengthens the aspirations of local people and businesses across the country.

 

“We have taken huge strides in recent years to get more people into work and help boost employment to record levels as part of our one nation commitment to extend opportunity to all.

 

“Building on these achievements, we are taking steps like developing a new Work and Health Programme to ensure that services are targeted to those who need them most, including the long-term unemployed and people with health conditions and disabilities.”

 

ERSA Chief Executive, Kirsty McHugh, said:

 

“Truly exceptional work is taking place across the UK by organisations in the employment support sector, yet not enough is understood about its real impacts. Employability Day is an opportunity for frontline experts to demonstrate the work that takes place in their local communities, from running wellbeing sessions to delivering skills qualifications, and encourage the wider community, friends, families and employers to join together and help their local teams and the jobseekers they support.”

 

Discover Youth Friendly Employers

Royal Air Force There’s nothing like a career in the RAF, it’s not just a job but a way of living. EXPLORE The British Library Work experience, internships and apprenticeships with The British Library open up a WORLD of possibilities. EXPLORE Severn Trent Careers Discover opportunities for apprentices, graduates and undergraduates in the office and beyond! EXPLORE Aspiration Training Traineeships & Apprenticeships in childcare, dental nursing, teaching, health/social care, and business admin EXPLORE McDonald's Early Careers You probably knew you can get McDonald's Apprenticeships. Did you know you can also study for a FREE Management Degree? EXPLORE Pret Apprenticeships & Careers When you apply for a Pret Apprenticeship or junior role, you’ll belong to a community of achievers. Get support on your own unique career journey! EXPLORE Haven Joining Haven is more than just a job. Our early careers are a breath of fresh air! EXPLORE IHG Early Careers Discover how you can grow your career in hospitality! EXPLORE Working in local government Local government touches everyone's lives every day EXPLORE Essex Youth Service Aged 13-25 and live in Essex? Get involved in fun activities, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award and online Plan B Traineeships. EXPLORE Historic England Discover early careers in heritage for all backgrounds, skills and interests. EXPLORE VHR Technical Recruitment The VHR talent academy can help you get into a successful technical recruitment career - with NO experience! EXPLORE Careers in Racing Horse racing is a great career choice! British Racing is the 2nd largest spectator sport after football. EXPLORE Coca-Cola EuroPacific Want to work for one of the most well-known brands in the world? They work hard to develop their young people! EXPLORE Martin Brower Careers Break into business, admin and supply careers with Martin Brower. Don't settle for the status quo. EXPLORE Generation: Free Skills Training Get FREE skills and careers training today! Generation gives you skills and connects you with employers to find a job fast. EXPLORE Catch22 Youth Services Want to overcome barriers in life, whatever your background? Want employers to give you a chance? We can help. EXPLORE ABP Foods Apprenticeships, graduate schemes and an AMAZING early careers academy in the world of sustainable food EXPLORE Careers in Eyecare From healthcare lab to high street fashion - you don't need a degree to open your eyes to eyecare careers EXPLORE Coach Core Apprenticeships See how Coach Core Apprenticeships get you into sport careers EXPLORE Environment Agency Careers Our work helps to protect and improve the environment to make it a better place for people and wildlife. Join us! EXPLORE Get Into Teaching You can get a teaching degree for FREE with apprenticeships! EXPLORE NCFE Vocational Qualifications Young people get amazing perks when they work for the NCFE, with apprenticeships and more. The training is great, too. EXPLORE Prezzo Restaurant Careers Prezzo offers so many early careers, from cooking great food and giving great customer service to managing like a boss! EXPLORE Surrey County Council Careers Thinking about rewarding apprenticeships and early careers in a diverse environment? Fire up your career with SCC! EXPLORE
Surrey County Council
The British Library

Email us at info@youthemployment.org.uk or call 01536 513388.