Employment Links Partnership finalist in the ERSA awards

George Selmer (our then Contract Director, Welfare to Work), Susan Ayres (Economic Affairs Manager, ELP), Helen Darwent (Employment Links & Kingsway Recruitment Team Manager)

Employment Links Partnership (ELP) was a finalist for an ERSA Employability Awards 2014, sponsored by Shaw Trust, in the Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award category.

A spokesperson for ELP said: “It was a great honour to be nominated by G4S and subsequently shortlisted for the ERSA Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award. The Awards ceremony was a pleasure to attend. It is a real testament to the hard work of the ELP Team to be commended for the effort and commitment they have shown to support Rochdale Borough residents into sustainable employment.”

G4S strongly felt that ELP were the most deserving of the award. Louise Riley, Supply Chain Manager for ELP, said: “ELP is an excellent organisation. Despite operating in a challenging labour market, they adapt quickly to changes and have continuously improved their service throughout the past three years. They have supported vast numbers of local residents into sustained employment as well as developing excellent relationships with local employers and partner organisations. ELP’s success is attributed to the team’s positive and motivational approach and their commitment to delivering a high quality, customer focused service. G4S is delighted to work in partnership with ELP and to see their success being acknowledged nationally”.

Kirsty Mchugh, ERSA Chief Executive, said: “I would like to say huge congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2014 ERSA Employability Awards. Moving into employment can truly change people’s lives and this is why it is so important that we recognise those, who through their hard work and dedication, are supporting jobseekers into work.”

ELP is part of Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and delivers the Work Programme on behalf of G4S in Greater Manchester. Despite being the smallest subcontractor within their network, delivering approximately 4% of the Work Programme contract, and being one of the most deprived boroughs in the UK, which brings significant challenges in itself, ELP Rochdale has made an outstanding contribution to supporting local customers into sustainable employment.

ELP was the only organisation within the G4S supply chain in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Warrington to deliver or exceed their overall and ESA job start and job outcome targets in 2013. Moverover, they achieved significant performance improvements from the previous year, notably a 96% increase in job outcomes. ELP’s high performance is due to successfully engaging with and supporting customers throughout their employment journey. Each customer is allocated an advisor who supports them to find and apply for jobs and once in employment, customers are supported through regular contact. This enables the ELP team to identify where individuals are at risk of not sustaining employment and take necessary steps to enable them to remain in their current role or find a suitable alternative. ELP’s valuable impact on customers is evident through having received extensive positive feedback. 

The award winner was announced at a short ceremony in London attended by over 200 people, including all the finalists. The ceremony was addressed by the Minster for Employment, Esther McVey, and included a drinks reception, sponsored by Specialist Recruitment Partners and programme sponsored by Kennedy Scott.

The ERSA Employability Awards aim to celebrate and champion best practice from across the employment related services sector, highlighting the day to day hard work and dedication of individuals and organisations in the industry that are supporting jobseekers to find employment and often making a genuine difference in people’s lives.
The Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award, sponsored by A4e, recognises excellence as a subcontractor in the field of employment related services.