Business support and information

From Horsham District Council

14 January 2021

In this email, we at Horsham District Council are looking to the future by highlighting a number of employment support activities for local people. But to get the District's economic recovery on track, we need your help.

Employment and skills for local people

In the current pandemic-hit climate the economy has been greatly affected, as we know our businesses are only too aware. Unemployment numbers have tripled across the Horsham District and are expected to rise further as the furlough scheme draws to a close at the end of April 2021.

Part of the Council’s Economic Recovery Programme is to help as many people into work as possible.

Whilst the successful Journey to Work and WISH programmes are continuing to operate virtually, the Council is excited to be setting up two new projects to help specific target groups.

Visit our website for information about all our employment schemes

Horsham Youth Employment Hub

The Horsham Youth Employment Hub (YWISH) launches at the end of January 2021, with the specific purpose of supporting 18-24-year olds find work, training and careers advice. This service will be provided in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and Horsham Jobcentre Plus. Find out about YWISH

Gatwick Diamond Youth Hubs

Wednesday 3 February 11:30am - 12 noon

All local businesses and invited to the digital launch of the Gatwick Diamond Youth Hubs and find out what is being done to support local young people and make our economy stronger.  Register your place

Employment support for people over 24 years old

The Council will also be providing a support service for those local people over the age of 24 years who have been impacted by the pandemic, with the aim of helping them get back on track. Visit our website for more information about how to engage with this, or any of the other programmes.

How local employers can support the local workforce

Helping people find work relies heavily on employers supporting the programmes and providing work-related opportunities.

Support could include: providing new jobs, Kickstart placements, apprenticeships, traineeships, volunteering, work experience or providing advice and mentoring.

How you can help

Below are a few ways that employers can help support the local workforce:

• Provide work related opportunities for the participants on our various programmes
• Notify the Council of any recruiting you are doing or planning to do - we are looking to hold recruitment fairs in the early part of 2021
• Knowing the jobs that employers have coming up allows us to match the skills of our customers with suitable roles
• Provide in kind or financial support (sponsorship) to the new Youth Hub (YWISH) project
• Create new Kickstart placements or apprenticeships for local people
• Offer your staff as volunteer mentors for people looking to upskill and improve their employability
• Provide school-work experience placements for school students in June/July 2021

We are here to help

We appreciate and understand that local businesses have suffered throughout the pandemic and that there are challenging times ahead. We are here to offer whatever help we can so please do contact us. If you can help us, we would most appreciate your support.

For any employment or recruitment questions or requests for support, please contact Leigh Chambers on 01403 215264 or by email, leigh.chambers@horsham.gov.uk