Business in the Community’s Ready For Work programme impact stories
This booklet contains powerful stories demonstrating how Business in the Community’s (BITC) Ready for Work programme has a positive impact on participants’ lives. It outlines how three individuals who faced barriers to employment have now secured work at Gowling WLG, KPMG and Waitrose, with the support of BITC and partner organisations such as Crisis, a national charity for homeless people and the Booth Centre, a day centre that offers advice, activities and support to homeless people in Manchester. BITC is able to deliver the Ready for Work programme with support from the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
Be inspired by ready for work’s successes
Operating across the UK, BITC’s Ready for Work programme helps provide employment opportunities for some of society’s most disadvantaged people. The programme works with businesses to support those who have faced homelessness and multiple barriers to work, helping participants re-enter into employment through the delivery of a supported two-week work placement.
Ready for Work is collaborative, with businesses offering the varied opportunities and support that our participants need and employee volunteers value. The programme provides the infrastructure and support for businesses to offer life-changing opportunities to people who are excluded due to experiences of homelessness, the care system, long-term unemployment, criminal convictions, substance misuse, health issues and more.
Ready for Work is supported by 150 businesses in 16 locations and allows businesses to create stronger links with the community, build an increased diverse talent pool and provide personal and professional development for their employee volunteers.
57% of participants that complete a work placement through BITC’s Ready for Work programme go on to gain and sustain employment, significantly outperforming similar national programmes.
57% of participants that complete a work placement through BITC’s Ready for Work programme go on to gain and sustain employment, significantly outperforming similar national programmes. Participants also report many other positive outcomes from the programme, including gaining access to further education and new training opportunities, as well as an increase in skills and confidence.
These impact stories provide real-life experiences of those who have successfully completed the programme and the momentous impact it has made in their lives.
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Business in the Community is creating a skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow
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