Help for the Unemployed: the impact of two initiatives - Business in the Community

Help for the Unemployed: the impact of two initiatives

Find out more on the impact of two initiatives that supported the unemployed back into the workplace.

Here is a summary of two past Business in the Community initiatives that provided help for the unemployed, supporting numerous individuals back into the workplace before closing.

Help for the unemployed

Getting Ready for Employment (GREAT)

The Getting Ready for Employment and Training (GREAT) project was a free service across Leicestershire designed to give those not currently in employment the support they needed to find work or training opportunities.

The service was run by a range of statutory, not-for-profit and private companies, including Business in the Community (BITC), who collaborated to offer a holistic, person-centred service tailored to each family’s unique needs. Participants were connected to placements with local businesses to gain experience in their chosen industry and receive access to various support initiatives to help them identify and achieve their individual career goals.

  • Employment support: Workshops, work placements, career conversations and behind-the-scenes insights.
  • Interactions with local businesses were facilitated through Business in the Community members and organisations within Leicestershire.
  • Training: Participants worked with business experts and coaches to develop the necessary work and life skills to succeed in the workplace.

Ready for Work (Manchester)

Business in the Community’s Ready for Work programme helped individuals who were experiencing homelessness back into employment.

How it worked

The Ready for Work programme helped individuals access jobs by building strong partnerships with local, regional and national employers. By finding work, people were supported out of homelessness.
The programme team worked with employers to create pathways into work and support people via a mix of employment training, work experience and coaching.
Partnership with the Booth Centre

BITC partnered with the Booth Centre in Manchester to provide comprehensive employment services, which included assistance with soft skills, motivation, confidence, self-esteem, and access to training

Ready for Work helped individuals navigate recruitment processes, develop their CVs, build interview skills and complete applications, and address more practical barriers such as ID and travel expenses. In-work support was also available.

Impact

Between April 2019 and March 2022, Business in the Community and the Booth Centre’s employment service partnership supported 249 people into employment. 53% maintained employment after three months.

Gabriel Erinle, Director, Adept Corporate Services. Project participant said.

“ We have been able to give opportunities to a number of people who have experienced homelessness. Having the support of Ready for Work has meant we have made the best of it for everyone. I would like to encourage other employers to get involved.

Interested in knowing more about current and new initiatives?