The Employment Development Team (EDT) works in partnership with external partners, including local voluntary/community bodies and other statutory organisations to deliver a total package of employment support  projects – both employer-led (helping with recruitment drives, co-ordinating/hosting open days/interviews) and client-led (a tailored approach according to individual needs and preferences).

Warrington is home to around 8,000 businesses employing 115,000 people.  It was the fourth highest for job growth in the UK, and one of the few ‘cities’ in the country whose economy improved during the second half of the last recession.

Our menu of support will enable businesses to thrive ensuring future economic growth for the Warrington community as a whole, in addition to all residents including those from priority groups and target areas to improve their employability skills and ultimately gain employment.

We negotiate with employers, including through the Local Planning Conditions and support them throughout the recruitment process into job opportunities. The Agreement covers job vacancies, guaranteed interviews, specific/bespoke training needs, skills update, Apprenticeships, Site Visits, Work Placements/Experience opportunities etc.

We also work with local businesses to demonstrate how to be part of the thriving growth by:

• Offering a free recruitment service from a range of partners including apprenticeships and links to skills and training opportunities
• Encouraging them to think local in terms of their staff, suppliers and partners
• Initiating local partnerships and supply chain
• Finding win-wins for the mutual benefit of businesses and local residents
• Understanding how to strengthen and build upon the local economy in order to sustain current growth

Projects delivered and project-managed by the Employment Development Team include:

Linking the Locks – Coastal Communities Fund

Warrington and Halton Borough Councils were successful in a joint bid for funding for a project covering the Sankey Bridges area of Warrington, running towards Fiddler’s Ferry and ending at Spike Island in Widnes, along the route of the Sankey Canal.  The bid was for a total grant of £654,000, of which £375,000 was capital funding to replace the bridge at Fiddler’s Ferry.  The remainder of the grant provided resource for business engagement and marketing support within the designated area, with the aim of increasing employment opportunities, apprenticeships and volunteer projects, whilst allowing eligible businesses to access a grant to support new apprentice wage costs.

#Lifegoals – support for 15-24 year old NEETs

The #Lifegoals project supports young people aged 15-24 who are not currently in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) who haven’t had the right opportunity, encouragement or funding to find a job, work experience or place on a training programme. It provides a 12 or 18 week programme  that aims to improve young people’s social skills such as: self-confidence, motivation levels, resilience, communication skills, dealing with conflict and general personal development with dedicated support with sourcing and applying for jobs.

BeInspired (element 1) – support for 15-24 year old NEETs 

In Cheshire and Warrington, The European Social Fund (ESF) and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) are supporting the BeInspired project which aims to work with young people (15-24 year olds) who are facing obstacles to getting a job. BeInspired provides pre-employment skills training, help in developing the skills, experience and qualifications young people require for the transition from unemployment into work.

It will help young people to achieve their career and employment goals, and provide support for progression into an apprenticeship, traineeship or further education outcome. BeInspired is delivered on a one-to-one basis and provides bespoke advice and guidance, linking with local employers and partners in key sectors.

BeInspired (element 2) – School and Employer Links

Element 2 of the BeInspired project facilitates engagement opportunities between schools and employers in order to enhance the careers support that young people receive whilst in education. This includes the development of information, advice and guidance material that is particularly focused on encouraging greater take up of key sectors including Healthcare, Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction, Science and Pharmaceuticals, Energy, ICT and Digital, Logistics, Social Care and Food.

New Leaf – Building Better Opportunities 

Golden Gates Housing Trust (GGHT), secured a £10.6million BBO grant to deliver the New Leaf project to support around 3,000 people in Warrington and Cheshire into work.  Project “New Leaf” is designed to upskill local people, make them work ready, attractive to employers and better able to access the opportunities that the region offers as an economic and commercial hotspot.  Warrington and Co’s Employment Development Team were successful in our bid to become the delivery partner for the Employer Engagement element of the programme, helping to move individuals into sustainable work.

For further information on the Employment Development Team please contact:

Jo Jackson – Employment Development Manager

Tel: 01925 442635

Email: jjackson@warringtonandco.com