Work Inclusion Campaign

The Work Inclusion Campaign vision is for every business in the UK to support people from disadvantaged groups to build successful working lives. 

By working together we can improve the quality of life for the individuals we engage through our programmes as well as enhance the vibrancy and competitiveness of our businesses and UK society as a whole."

Social context

There are 2.6 million unemployed people in the UK of who 868,000 have been unemployed for more than one year and nearly half a million for over two years.  These are the highest figures since 1997. 

The cost to society of this is vast.  Long term unemployment is a major contributing factor in child poverty, ill health, re-offending and homelessness, all of which play a role in perpetuating the cycle of unemployment.

Why should businesses get involved?

Business plays a critical role in addressing this issue, and can reap significant business benefits at the same time.Examples from companies who are already taking action on this agenda show reduced recruitment costs, improved retention rates, greater employee diversity, skills development and increased morale of existing employees.

Recent research evidences the business case for engagement. Find out how companies such as Carillion, M&S, Freshfields, The Co-operative, Pinsent Masons and Lend Lease are seeing business returns from their engagement.

What are the ways businesses can make an impact? 

1. Pre-employment support - engage employees with pre-employment training, aspiration raising sessions and mentoring/coaching
2. Work placements – offer quality work placements for people from excluded groups, involve employees as buddies
3. Employment - actively recruit individuals facing barriers to work and support them appropriately to sustain employment (in-house or elsewhere)

Use the Work Inclusion Guide to Best Practice to develop your own initiatives:  Access the full guide online or download the Executive Summary (3426 kb).

Get involved through BITC

• Get involved with the national Ready for Work programme to offer volunteers, work placements and/or employment opportunities to people from disadvantaged groups
• Engage with Business Action on Homelessness and the Ready for Work programme across the UK
• Support disadvantaged young people to build successful working lives through the Care Leavers programme
• Join the Employers’ Forum for Reducing Re-offending

If you would like to discuss how Work Inclusion is relevant to your business, and explore the most effective role your business can play, please contact Nicola Inge, Work Inclusion Campaign Manager