It is just one week until the annual Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Conference and Awards 2024. In the context of today's Get Britain Working white paper, it promises to be an intriguing conference! The new, devolved, Connect to Work programmes are also taking shape across the UK, further highlighting the flux in the sector.
I am an optimist. I see change as an opportunity for improvement, but I admit I am still weighing up the implications of the emerging, new marketplace. I'm particularly interested in the employer stakeholders in employability. Historically vital but rarely utilised as an active agent in employability programme design, I'm working on what employer engagement will look like in the Connect to Work programme. It certainly requires a different resource and approach! I'd really like to hear from my network on how they see hiring businesses being involved in Connect to Work, let's discuss!
But back to the conference! Held on Wednesday 4th December the ERSA conference and awards will bring together sector professionals, commissioners and policy leads, and will focus on a number of themes:
· the case for national and local provision
· engaging the economically inactive
· health solutions for work
· providing a guarantee to young people, and,
· partnering with employers for good work
I am delighted that my organisation, 4front Partners, is sponsoring the Employer Partnership Award. The award recognises businesses who have made specific efforts to create opportunities for people participating in employment programmes. Hiring businesses are often the forgotten stakeholder in our sector, yet a strong partnership between provider and an employer can be a game changer in more people securing employment. My work with many providers and businesses has shown me amazing examples of this – and I know we can do more of this across the employment and skills sectors.
The award finalists have recently been released and in the 4front Partners sponsored category there are some worthy projects;
✅ One Parent Families Scotland, nominated by Public Health Scotland
✅ OCS, nominated by Reed in Partnership
✅ AAA Caring Caretaker, nominated by Waythrough
✅ The Unlocking Refugee Talent initiative (Breaking Barriers, Barclays, LinkedIn and Microsoft)
✅ Tesco, nominated by Maximus
✅ Sefton@Work, ‘Employer Partner Agreement’, nominated by G4S
Everyone at 4front Partners wishes all finalists the very best of luck. Regardless of the result on the night, the work you are doing to foster relationships to create job opportunities is an example of what is possible.
Whilst at the conference I am looking forward to meeting up with old friends and new contacts. If you’re new to this event come and find me and I’ll show you around! And if you’re interested in how we can improve employer engagement, train your team, or develop a new programme get in touch so we can book in a coffee and chat.
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