We need more work coaches to get the nation back on its feet
Our local work coaches change lives, and they make a difference across communities throughout the UK by helping people get back on their feet, writes Mims Davies MP. | PA Images
4 min read
As part of our ambitious ‘Plan for Jobs’, we are calling on people to apply to become a work coach, to get more people back into work and build Britain back stronger than ever.
If you’re fortunate enough to have never needed support from a work coach at our Job Centre Plus network to find a job, let me tell you a little bit about them.
First, they will make sure you are getting the financial support you should be – then, they open employment doors for you.
They might help get you onto a training scheme, find you a mentor or show you how skills from a previous role can get you your next.
Our local work coaches change lives, and they make a difference across communities throughout the UK by helping people get back on their feet and find their confidence for the next stage.
The work coaches I have met have hundreds of truly inspiring stories of how they have listened, supported and gone out of their way to help people find a new role, get back on track and progress.
You may have seen some of them in action in the Channel 4 Documentary, The Yorkshire Jobcentre, including Jan our work coach who helped Phil get back into work and on his feet.
It’s a perfect example of the dedication our DWP work coaches bring to the job – day in and day out – and how much they are willing those that come to them to succeed.
No one day is the same. And if this sounds like a job you’d like to do, now is your chance to join us and help us with our ‘Plan for Jobs’ as we push into recovery.
Our work coaches come from all kinds of backgrounds and experience. I don’t want anyone to rule themselves out before they’ve applied.
Today thousands of new work coach positions will be available across the country. If you think you can rise to this challenge and want make a difference like many other key workers have done throughout this pandemic, then I want you to apply online today.
Our work coaches come from all kinds of backgrounds and experience. I don’t want anyone to rule themselves out before they’ve applied. This is a job where your mix of life experience – good or bad – can really help you connect with the people who come to you for support. We need people with experience in the workplace to pass on those lessons and help others get their lives back on track.
If you’ve just completed your studies or are looking to return to work after caring, and want to do your part in the national effort to help Britain bounce back – then we also want you to apply. With our new Youth Hubs and Youth Employability work coaches there are opportunities for all.
No one is better at helping a young person get back on their feet than someone who understands them, their peers. You will get 10 weeks of training and have all you to need to help people bounce back and take that next step on their career journey.
Coronavirus has impacted on our economy in many different ways, and while the furlough scheme has protected jobs for more than 9 million people in recent months, we can’t protect every single one.
Every job lost is a huge burden for a family and, as a government, we want to ensure that there are support systems in place to help people to get back on their feet.
By doubling the number of work coaches we can get more people back into work more quickly and build Britain back even stronger.
This is all part of our ambitious ‘Plan for Jobs’, which includes the recently launched £2 billion Kickstart scheme, putting young people receiving benefits first in line for new, high quality, six-month placements in roles across all sectors to boost their skills and confidence.
We are also boosting the number of sector-based work academy programmes – or SWAPs - helping people learn new skills through work experience and training so they can pivot into a growing sector.
And these are just some of the opportunities you’d have as a work coach to help people find their next role.
So if think you can give someone a helping hand in hard times, then apply online today. I want to work with you and together we can do a really great job and change people’s lives and shape this recovery positively.
Mims Davies is the Conservative MP for Mid Sussex and the minister for employment.
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