Ingeus UK: Working with jobseekers and employers to get the UK back to work
Since 2002, Ingeus UK, one of the country’s main welfare-to-work providers, has worked alongside approximately 50,000 employers to support over 80,000 jobseekers into work. From June 2011, Ingeus UK – in partnership with Deloitte – has been delivering the government’s new back to work scheme, the Work Programme.
No two jobseekers who walk through Ingeus’ doors are the same; each person faces different and sometimes complex barriers to work. Most individuals require support with interview techniques, skills development or CV writing, but many also need intensive assistance to address a range of other problems that hold them back from obtaining a job, such as debt, health or housing issues. Working in partnership with a range of specialist organisations from the public, private and voluntary sector, Ingeus aims to offer wrap-around support for all its jobseekers, enabling them to realise their potential and move into sustainable employment.
For individuals the right support can be life changing. Having been referred to Ingeus from Jobcentre Plus, one woman is relishing being back in work after 12 years of unemployment. As a deaf woman and lone carer for her mother and two children she always struggled to find suitable work. With the support of Ingeus and Clarion, a deaf communications specialist, she has now secured a job as an online shopper at her local Sainsbury’s.
She attributes her success to the assistance she received, especially when it came to “all the practical aspects which have been hurdles…in the past, sorting out travel expenses and my working tax credits for instance.”
As with jobseekers, no two employers are the same. For Ingeus, engaging employers – from multinationals to SMEs - to understand their recruitment requirements and business needs is critical. This engagement ensures that long-term unemployed jobseekers are matched with positions that are right for them and the employer; jobs that they will hopefully sustain in and progress from in time.
Ingeus therefore works with businesses to identify the type of candidates they need. This may mean they manage the whole recruitment process if required or just provide relevant CVs. Employers sometimes also use Ingeus’ facilities to host recruitment events or pre-employment training. In Mansfield, Ingeus worked closely with high street retailer B&M who were looking to open a new store. By helping B&M find suitable local candidates through pre-employment training and pre-screening, they were able to provide them with over 30 motivated new members of staff.
The benefits of the support and assistance offered by Ingeus and other Work Programme providers are clear. Working closely with employers and jobseekers to help more long-term unemployed people not only delivers significant savings to the taxpayer, but improves individuals’ quality of life and provides businesses with the motivated employees they need.
Ingeus is one of a number of providers working with jobseekers and employers in delivering the Work Programme. You can find out more about the scheme here.
