Carillion encourages employment opportunities for Plymouth homeless

Following the development of Business in the Community’s partnership with Shekinah Mission, November saw the second Ready for Work programme delivered by the city’s leading homeless support agency. This partnership is heralded as a significant development between the partnerships of Shekinah Mission, Business in the Community and some of the city’s key businesses.

Soo Brizell-Hogg, Ready for Work manager said;  “This is a really exciting programme for us as we are able to welcome three new employers as partners in the Ready for Work programme; Business Link Devon and Cornwall, First Group and Carillion are all businesses that have been inspired to support our commitment to address homelessness and the worklessness agenda in the city whilst also meeting the needs of their community impact strategies in their business.

On 1-2 November Business Link Devon and Cornwall hosted a two day training event for eight homeless clients taking part in the Ready for Work programme, all of whom are starting their work placements at a variety of businesses in November. The training helps build confidence, self esteem and gives all participants an opportunity to undertake a mock interview by Business Link volunteers. All attendees are able to attend the training thanks to the offer of free bus passes from First Group.

Carillion is offering two placements for trainees from Shekinah’s ‘Steady Work Construction’ training programme. They are one of the UK’s leading support services and construction companies, with over 50,000 employees worldwide.  A highly diversified company, the business is able to offer a range of different work placement opportunities ranging from construction to facilities management and administrative roles at their training facilities.

Carillion is currently engaging with Business Action on Homelessness (BAOH) via the Ready for Work Programme in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and Nottingham, amongst other locations.  Carillion is delighted to have added Plymouth to this list as the business has been working hard to unlock an opportunity in the area for some time. 

Carillion is a BAOH national partner and is looking to offer up to 100 placements this year, with 59 completed or planned to date.  The company joins Royal Mail, SERCO and Alex Horner Plastering Services in offering work placements for this programme.

All programme participants will be offered a job coach who is a volunteer from a Plymouth business. Job coaching provides continuity and mutual support for the homeless clients as they progress into employment.

Business Action on Homelessness in Plymouth has a current membership of 18 local companies and has supported over 100 disadvantaged clients into work placements over a 4 year period, enabling more than half to secure sustained employment and escape the cycle of no job, no home.