Overview
Sometimes, there are candidates out there, who have lots of lived experience and are ideal for a position but need that bit more support with securing a role or being job-ready.
Fortunately, there are local and national supportive organisations on hand to help people overcome any barriers that may be preventing them from starting work.
Key challenges
- Educational attainments, particularly maths and English GCSE, are below average in the region
- Digital access and literacy
- Readiness to enter the job market
Benefits
- Signposting people to supportive organisations helps us provide better opportunities for them to get into work
- At the same time, the health and social care sector is boosted by a stream of new untapped talent from different sources, bolstering staffing levels across the sector as a whole
- Providing individuals with extra support builds their confidence and makes them feel supported from the outset which, in turn, can help boost staff retention
Finding supporting organisations
Get Oldham Working
Get Oldham Working is a council-run service aimed at helping people find work and training opportunities.
GM Training Hub
Greater Manchester Training Hub champion primary care as a career destination by ensuring access to quality lifelong learning experiences to strengthen and expand the workforce.
Job Centre Plus
Job Centre Plus helps working-age people find employment in the UK. Work coaches provide personalised support and advice, while advisors provide information on local jobs, apprenticeship and training schemes. The service also provides practical support in areas, such as sourcing interview clothes and interview coaching.
National Careers Service
National Careers Service provides careers information, advice and guidance. It also helps people make decisions relating to learning, training and work at all stages in their career.
The Prince’s Trust
The Prince’s Trust has been helping young people get into the health and care sector for over a decade by providing volunteering opportunities and courses and partnering with sector providers.
Volunteering
Volunteering is an excellent way for people to get into health and social care and gain valuable hands-on experience and contacts.
Some organisations have their own volunteering department that provides volunteers with dedicated support. Other organisations work with other providers, such as local infrastructure community volunteering services that connect people with volunteering opportunities.
Support for the VCSE Sector: GM Workforce Hub
The GM Workforce Hub has a pletherer of information, resources and support for community sector organisations employing and recruiting staff and volunteers.
Case study: Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Volunteers are recognised as making a unique and valuable contribution to patients, carers, relatives, visitors and staff at the Trust.
Tony is among the first volunteers to use the Trust’s Volunteer into Employment pathway
Useful links and resources
- Get Oldham Working
- Greater Manchester Training Hub
- Job Centre Plus
- National Careers Service
- The Prince’s Trust
Next » Shortlisting and selection
This section provides best practice advice for making the shortlisting and selection process as efficient as possible.