As the United Kingdom emerges from COVID-19 lockdowns, businesses reopen, and more people return to work, the Government is continuing to help jobseekers find employment through its Plan for Jobs.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the unemployment rate from December 2020 to February 2021 was hovering around 4.9 per cent, only slightly higher than rates before the pandemic. But as Government interventions come to an end in Septemebr 2021 (including furlough, which has protected more than 11 million jobs since the pandemic began), the unemployment rate could continue to rise up to 6.5 per cent, or up to 2.2 million people across the UK.

In an effort to address unemployment and ‘restart’ the economy, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced its new Restart Scheme. This will see employment advisors use their in-depth knowledge of the local jobs market to work with organisations across communities including Local Authorities in a further boost to the levelling up agenda.

Fedcap Employment, an organisation that delivers tailored employability programs across Britain, has been contracted by DWP to deliver the Restart Scheme in the South Central area of England for the next five years. Fedcap has brought on Palladium as a sub-contractor to deliver on the goals of the program and support unemployed people back into jobs. Palladium will be helping people develop new skills, overcome barriers, and find work.

Providing Support and Compassion for Jobseekers

“This is a really important program," says Palladium Managing Partner Sinead Magill. "The long-term unemployed face multiple barriers to finding work and need targeted, inclusive support that is delivered with intelligence and compassion.”

Designed to support people who have been unemployed for 12-18 months, Restart will provide tailored employability support and interventions for jobseekers in their local area through a mix of support via virtual and face-to-face interactions.

Brian Bell, Chief Executive of Fedcap Employment, notes how important this partnership and the services will be for many people across the UK. “Palladium shares our values around supporting people to realise their full potential, so we’re delighted to bring them on board as one of our trusted delivery partners," he says.

"Following a year of uncertainty, we’re really looking forward to providing the stability many people need to kickstart their careers.”

The program, which begins on 28 June, is expected to provide personalised support to over a million jobseekers on their journey towards employment.

“We’re honoured to be working with Fedcap on an issue that has had such a deep impact on so many people," add Magill. "And while it’s a big challenge, I feel confident that, together, our global experience and dedicated local teams will deliver meaningful change for the long-term unemployed in Hampshire and Isle of Wight."

To learn more, contact info@thepalladiumgroup.com.