Marvin OnumonuGreater Essex’s £30.7m Connect to Work programme has been fully mobilised, with three expert providers on board.
The providers confirmed are Shaw Trust, Essex Cares Limited (ECL) and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).
The programme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is being delivered across Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
Connect to Work offers support to residents who have a long-term health condition, a disability, or are in priority groups.
The support includes one-to-one coaching, skills training and job-matching services.
The aim is to help people gain the confidence and opportunities needed to secure sustainable work.
Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability at Essex County Council, said: “We’re proud to be delivering the Connect to Work programme in Essex and it’s hugely exciting to have all three of our fantastic, expert providers now on board to support residents.
“Connect to Work will help thousands of people across Greater Essex to re-enter the workplace over the next five years, supporting those with complex barriers to employment to find good jobs.
“The programme is about employment, but also inclusion and spreading opportunity, helping residents of Greater Essex to fulfil their potential.”
The programme is also open to employers in Greater Essex.
It aims to help employers build more inclusive workforces and access motivated, job-ready candidates.
A webinar is being hosted for employers to find out more about the programme.
To be eligible, participants need to be aged 18 or over (or over 16 in some cases), live in Essex, Southend-on-Sea or Thurrock, have the right to live and work in the UK, not be excluded from accessing public funds and not be part of another DWP Employment Programme.
