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Posted on:
21st April, 2020

Stoke and Staffs LEP creates service for businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP has worked with partners to create a triage service for businesses and employees experiencing redundancies as a result of the coronavirus.

Stoke and Staffs LEP creates service for businesses and employees impacted by COVID-19
This is being co-ordinated by the National Careers Service West Midlands including Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
The Triage Service will match those recently made redundant with new work in the sectors currently experiencing growth.  The service will also engage with employers facing redundancies to ensure a smooth transition for employees into new work opportunities.

Whilst the Government has created the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, designed to help businesses retain their staff during the current outbreak by paying 80% of an employee’s salary, there are redundancies currently being made by businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

This is happening while large gaps in the labour market are appearing in sectors vital to the ongoing fight against coronavirus.

The Redundancy and Recruitment Triage Service – to be administered by the National Careers Service West Midlands including Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire – will match those recently made redundant with new work in sectors experiencing a surge in employment demand such as health and care, food retail, wholesale, and distribution.
The triage service is the result of contributions from multiple partners including the Department of Work & Pensions, Local Authorities and others. This service is for all employees affected and businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire who are having to make changes to their workforce as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

LEP chairman Alun Rogers said:

Our priority at the LEP is to ensure businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have the support they need during these extremely difficult times.

Traditionally responses to redundancy situations have been coordinated by the Department for Work & Pensions, Jobcentre Plus local district.

However, they are currently experiencing unprecedented volumes of new customer registrations and are diverting their staffing resources to processing claims and making important payments to those residents affected by Coronavirus.

In negotiation with our local partners, councils and the SSLEP have identified capacity within the National Careers Service delivered by Prospects to provide a valuable response triage service which will match redundancy situations to redeployment where there is emerging new work in sectors experiencing a surge in employment demand.”

Please follow the advice below to ensure we can support you and the labour market during this time.

Referral Process

  • If you have been made redundant or are at risk of redundancy contact us now on 0121 296 5550 or email ncswmenquiries@prospects.co.uk to book a telephone appointment
  • If you are an employer whose staff are at risk of redundancy, please call 07879 603635
  • If you require support to fill urgent vacancies, please call 07879 603635

For general guidance and links to further information on redundancy for both employers and employees, you can read the DWP Factsheet on Redundancy.

National Careers Service delivered by Prospects – Free individual support, advice and careers information and guidance for employers and employees affected by Coronavirus redundancies and for employers needing staff to fill their vacancies.

How National Careers Service can support you:

Employers

  • Our experienced advisers can help you support your staff during this challenging period through one-to-one redundancy support, career planning and employment and training/learning advice and guidance for staff at risk of redundancy, as well as match employees to new jobs in sectors experiencing demand.
  • If you are recruiting for urgent vacancies to meet changes to your business as a result of Covid-19, we can help match your jobs to individuals who are immediately available to start work.

Employees at risk of redundancy/recently made redundant

  • Our qualified advisers can provide one to one support to help you plan your next steps, help you to improve your skills or help you find alternative employment including access to new job vacancies in sectors experiencing demand for new staff.

Support we provide includes:

  • Skills analysis and career planning
  • CV development
  • Job matching to current vacancies
  • Job search and online applications
  • Understanding the local job market
  • Current vacancies relevant to your skills and experience
  • Exploring career options
  • Interview techniques
  • Digital skills assessments and skills
  • Searching for courses and training schemes
  • Finding funding to support learning
  • Information about apprenticeships
  • Identifying key strengths & skills
  • Developing an action plan