In response to the COVID-19 pandemic Mims Davies, Minister for Employment at DWP, announced on 10 September a range of measures to boost employment. As a result SSCL has been tasked with sourcing 9,000 new Jobcentre Work Coaches by March 2021.
The first recruitment wave will see more than 3,000 staff in place by Christmas with starters taking up posts in Jobcentres next month. These roles will directly support employment programmes such as the £2 billion Kickstart Scheme.
SSCL, a leader in critical business support services for the largest Government departments, the Ministry of Defence and Police, is expert in high-volume, rapid pace recruitment. It will run the end-to-end process from advertising for candidates to onboarding new recruits.
As unemployment is expected to rise over the coming months, the new Jobcentre Work Coaches will play a vital role helping people find new jobs and developing new skills in the current labour market.
"This is clearly a significant undertaking for the UK Government, and we are delighted to put our expertise in recruitment on this scale to good use." - David Parsons
In just one week SSCL has received over 15,000 applications and is now testing, shortlisting and vetting candidates. Within 2 weeks of go live, we have already progressed candidates through the recruitment process and into pre-employment checking.
David Parsons, Managing Director at SSCL Police and Resourcing Services said: "This is clearly a significant undertaking for the UK Government, and we are delighted to put our expertise in recruitment on this scale to good use.
“We have already hit the ground running and in spite of the challenging conditions caused by the ongoing pandemic, we are confident of finding the best Work Coaches all over the country.
“This is a project of vital national importance, and we look forward to playing our part supporting the UK back into work.”
More information
DWP’s Work Coach Scheme seeks to double the number of Work Coaches employed at Jobcentres across the country. Work Coaches will directly support young people receiving benefits with work placements in high quality six-months roles provided by employers from all sectors.
Work Coaches will also provide vital retraining opportunities to people looking to start a new career, as well as support those who need to update their skills and CV, or simply prepare for an interview.
For more information on Work Coach applications and deadlines in your region please visit: https://dwpjobs-workcoach-microsite.co.uk/
About SSCL
Shared Services Connected Limited (SSCL) is a leader in critical business support services for the largest Government departments, the Ministry of Defence and Police across the UK. It provides Consulting and Digital services as well as end to end HR, Resourcing, Finance and Procurement - enhancing the customer experience, enabling smarter public services.
We employ more than 2,500 people who, with their in-depth client knowledge and our collaborative approach, sit at the heart of our business strategy.
SSCL's award winning Recruitment Service includes:
- advertising, including the creation of a customer microsite for candidates
- behavioural profiling, testing and shortlisting
- interview (now 100% virtual)
- vetting to Home Office and Cabinet Office standards
- offer and administration management
- new starter onboarding
- candidate support through an inbound and outbound multi-channel Contact Centre.