Marvin OnumonuCity of London Corporation has joined with Central London Forward (CLF) and 11 boroughs to launch Connect to Work.
The £72m scheme is set to help 17,000 Londoners with disabilities, long-term health conditions or other barriers into work by 2030.
The programme is funded by the UK Government and will run for five years; it aims to move people in C Central London into sustainable employment.
Residents in Camden, City of London, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster can access the scheme.
Each council will deliver the scheme for its own residents, except the City of London Corporation, which will cover all 12 boroughs and is targeting support for around 300 people.
The City Corporation will get £1.1m from the overall budget.
CLF will manage the programme, with support handled locally by councils or contracted partners – this support will be voluntary and customised.
This will include help to find and keep jobs, as well as guidance for employers to make placements work.
Local authorities will work with healthcare providers and community groups to reach people who need help most.
Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Education Board Naresh Sonpar, said: “This programme is a vital step in helping Londoners overcome barriers to employment and build meaningful careers.
“By connecting jobseekers with employers and offering tailored support, we’re building stronger communities and championing inclusive economic growth.”
Chair of CLF and leader of Westminster City Council, Councillor Adam Hug, said: “Too many Londoners still struggle to access good jobs.
“Worklessness has a huge impact on families and communities and holds back the capital’s growth.
“We’re proud to be working with the Government and councils across central London to launch Connect to Work—offering flexible, practical support to those who need it most.”
Shadi Brazell, director of CLF, said: “The programme will allow us to build on the success of previous CLF programmes which have helped over 20,000 residents into employment since 2018.
“Connect to Work represents a large-scale expansion of the ‘place and train’ model which we know has been very successful in test programmes, including in central London and has a strong evidence base internationally and in existing programmes.
“We are looking forward to working closely with our partners in the NHS, local councils and employers to improve access to the labour market across central London.”
