Connecting talent

The Redundancy Working Group, launched by Derby’s Economic Recovery Task Force, is appealing for firms who are recruiting engineering and manufacturing skills into their workforce to get in touch.

The team is already helping Bondholder Rolls-Royce employees after the firm announced it would shed 1,300 posts in Derby this year and more in 2020,

It is preparing to help staff from other companies who may be forced to cut roles as the city struggles with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 emergency and is using a website which allows staff to promote their CVs, and firms to post vacancies so that skills-matching can take place.

More than 750 Rolls-Royce workers have already registered for the service, with more than 1,600 ‘hits’ recorded on jobs listed on the site and 82 applications completed.

Bondholder Derby City Council Leader Councillor, Chris Poulter, said: “We know that workers leaving Rolls-Royce will have significant skills that could be a great asset to other employers. The web portal allows workers to view vacancies and submit applications, but it also allows registered companies to view displaced employees’ CVs and make approaches to them.

“In short, we can connect talent and opportunity – helping both the companies and the individuals and retaining skills in the region. What we really need now is for more engineering and manufacturing companies with vacancies to let us know about them.”

The Redundancy Working Group is pooling expertise from the public and private sectors and includes representatives from Derby City Council, other local authorities, Unite, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, National Careers Service and TRS, which provides the web portal.

Councillor Poulter added: “We want people to know that we are here to help. Whether that’s someone facing redundancy, a company that plans to cut jobs or an employer who is looking to recruit, we will try to assist, and we want to hear from you.”

The working group is collaborating with providers across the region to develop a support package for Rolls-Royce staff, with a focus on four areas: Careers advice and employment support; Education, skills and training support; Advice on self-employment and Legal, welfare rights and other advice .

Its initial efforts are concentrated around manufacturing and engineering, but it is preparing to work with companies and employees from other sectors.