National Careers Service West Midlands including Staffordshire - Redundancy and Recruitment Triage Service

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP (SSLEP) is announcing a Redundancy and Recruitment Triage Service for businesses and employees experiencing redundancies as a result of the coronavirus, delivered by the National Careers Service West Midlands including Staffordshire.

SSLEP is working with partners to create a triage service to help those who have lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, back into employment.  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. At the same time, gaps in the labour market are appearing in sectors such as health and care, food retail, wholesale, and distribution due to increased demand.

The Redundancy and Recruitment Triage Service will match those recently made redundant with new work in these sectors currently experiencing growth. The service will also engage with employers facing redundancies to ensure a smooth transition for employees into new work.

The Triage Service is the result of contributions from multiple partners including the Department for Work and 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.

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 the National Careers Service 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 – Free, personalised careers advice, information and guidance to help citizens find learning or work opportunities that are right for them.

How we 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 advice and guidance for staff at risk of redundancy as well as matching 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