East Hampshire has one of the lowest unemployment claimants rates in the country, so there is competition for talent and resources. Beyond the usual recruitment avenues, it may be worth considering some different opportunities to find the right people:
Disability does not mean inability
People with disabilities make up 1 in 5 of the total population, but only 48% of disabled people have a job compared to 80% of non-disabled people. Employing someone with a disability is often not as difficult as it may seem, particularly as less than 10% of disabled people use wheelchairs, and 83% of people acquire their disability while in work.
Disability Confident is a government initiative to help employers recruit and retain disabled people and people with health conditions. In return for being able to use the badge on their website and adverts, the company signs up to some simple commitments and one activity. The scheme is being supported by some of the major employers in the UK, but it is just as important to get support for small and medium-sized businesses. For more information: www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign.
Access to Work is a specialist disability service offered by Jobcentre Plus. For more information: www.gov.uk/access-to-work
East Hampshire is also fortunate to have the Kingsley Organisation located here, a charity that supports work placements and work based training for adults with learning and physical disabilities. For more information: www.kingsleyorganisation.org.uk
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16 and not in full time education, and they can be done by new or current employees. More information can be found here: Apprenticeships, 14 to 19 education and training for work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and here: APPRENTICESHIPS
There is extra financial help for employers taking on 16-18 yr olds or 19-24 yr olds who have previously been in care or have a Health and Care Plan.
East Hampshire District Council can provide further funding to help subsidise wages and help with transport costs for the apprentices. For more information: Support with apprenticeship costs | East Hampshire District Council (easthants.gov.uk)
The Over 50s
In East Hampshire, there are twice as many people over 50 claiming unemployment benefit as there are 18-24 years olds, but there also many older people not claiming benefits who are keen to take on work later in life.
And there can be very real benefits in taking on an older worker as they can often offer greater flexibility, more reliability and life skills that a younger person has yet to develop. And remember, even someone over 50 can be taken on as an apprentice..
An event first held in Alton in April 2017 - New Directions - brought together employment, training and volunteering opportunities for the over 50s, and it was clear that there are many people locally that are both capable and eager to put their skills to work. Two further New Directions events have now taken place. To find out more, visit: New Directions event | East Hampshire District Council (easthants.gov.uk). Additional support for older workers can be found here: Help and support for older workers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Returnships
A returnship is a paid work placement aimed at experienced workers who have taken a career break, and are often taken up by women who have taken time out of the workforce to bring up a family. They usually run for a period of up to 3 months, and the Government is working with a number of organisations to develop 'returnships' in a range of different sectors. Here are just a few organisations that can help:
Recruitment Agencies - Part time and flexible working jobs (ten2two.org)
The Return Hub – job and returnship opportunities in the city
Jobcentre Plus
There are a range of services on offer to employers to help them recruit staff. For details, go to: Jobcentre Plus help for recruiters: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Access to Work can provide funds for aids and equipment, adaptions to equipment, travel to work, travel in work costs or the Mental Health Support Service. For more information, go to: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Work Choice a voluntary programme to help disabled people who find it hard to get and keep a job, and also employed people whose job are at risk because of their disability. It is delivered by various organisations from the public, private and third sectors. Work Choice - Employment Scheme - Focus on Disability