West Northants Council & DWP to hold Refugee Employment Support event

The event will take place between 2.30pm and 5pm, and be attended by local employers and support providers including Futures For You and Travis Perkins.

A variety of free help and support will be provided, as well as live vacancies together with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) support.

Other services available on the day include:

• Professional translators to support customers with interviews
• One to one career support
• Help with employability skills
• A childcare expert to discuss childcare options
• Vacancies from local employers
• A chance to discuss education and study options

Cllr Daniel Lister, WNC Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Town Centre Regeneration, said: “A job is about more than simply making a living and gaining financial independence, it’s a chance to make friends, be a part of the community and fully contribute to UK society – all with a new sense of purpose and identity.

“We want to help everyone in our community to secure local, sustainable employment. Refugees have a positive and direct impact on the community, and we are dedicated to supporting them while navigating through prospective employment and training so they can find a job that is right for them.

“I am pleased that we are able to work collaboratively to combine our efforts to be as supportive as possible to those looking to seek employment in West Northants from other countries. The WNC Economy Team deliver our West Northamptonshire Employment Support Service to help every resident access free, quality support to secure local employment and enable local employers to fill their vacancies with the skilled local workforce.”

The event follows ongoing work and support available to refugees in West Northamptonshire, whose communities have welcomed hundreds of individuals and families fleeing persecution from places including the Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria.

Paul Gisbey, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) District Manager for Leicester and Northants said “In working with Afghanistan and Ukrainian customers we have seen the generosity and kindness the people of Northamptonshire have shown them. Within DWP we are committed to supporting them, when they are seeking financial assistance, and also in providing them employment opportunities. This event is the latest example of that support with West Northants Council, local employers and providers working closely with us to make it a great success. We are immensely grateful to them all”

Recent data from the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) shows that West Northants has accepted 727 UK visa applications so far, and is the 34th largest recipient of 150 Council areas.

If you are a local employer who would like to be involved in supporting refugees to access employment, or would like the support of the WNC Economy Team, please contact economy@westnorthants.gov.uk.

DWP Northampton are hosting a Recruitment Event to support their customers and local employers on Wednesday 17 August, 10:00 – 12:00. For more information, please speak to your Work Coach.

All residents in West Northamptonshire can benefit from the WNC free Employment Support Service by accessing their website here. Also, businesses can access WNC’s free business support from their website here.