NEWS

SEMLEP launches initiative to support employment

9 October 2020

A new initiative to support local people who are at risk of redundancy begins. The Define Your Career campaign helps individuals to access fully funded employment information and support.

This World Mental Health Day, SEMLEP is encouraging individuals to take action and define their careers.

Recognising the detrimental effects of unemployment on mental health for some people, this new initiative aims to help empower individuals to take control of their futures, supporting them to access key information and resources to secure employment or training.

Working with partners, SEMLEP has collated the support available locally on their website and is proactively sharing employment support for individuals over the winter months.

The South East Midlands currently has the highest number of vacancies per hundred working age residents in the workforce and had the largest percentage increase in vacancies between July and August [Institute for Employment Studies, Monthly vacancy analysis: Vacancy trends to week-ending 13 September 2020]. This shows some positive signs in the local employment market.

Paul Thompson, Employment and Skills Manager at SEMLEP said, “We’re working hard to identify opportunities that can support our community during this time of economic uncertainty. While we are optimist about the areas ability to bounce back, we want to prepare residents by encouraging them to take positive action to identify employment opportunities aligned to their skills.”

Dr Julie Mills OBE, CEO at MK College and Chair of the Skills Advisory Panel for the area added, “Evidence has shown that young people are more at risk of redundancy at this time. We want to support young people to feel empowered to develop and utilise their skills to secure suitable skills employment.

“This year has challenged every single person. Now, more than ever, it is important that we take care of our mental health and come together to support each other. The Define Your Career campaign brings the best local support directly to affected individuals.”

Partners engaged to develop the initiative include local authorities, Job Centre Plus, the National Careers Service, national support programmes, local colleges and universities.

To access the Define Your Career employment support resources, visit the Employment and Skills support page on the SEMLEP website or to keep up to date with the latest employment articles, events are more, follow @SEMLEP on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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