Bondholders benefit from free employment support

A free service launched by Derby City Council to make it easier for employers to recruit new staff is reaping rewards for a number of Marketing Derby Bondholders.

Launched in November last year by the city council’s Economic Growth Team, the service helps firms recruit talent and develop the skills they need to thrive as a business.

It was set up in response to recruitment challenges faced by many businesses following the pandemic.

To date, the service, which uses its links with the Department for Work and Pensions and provider networks to identify candidates, has successfully helped a number of firms recruit and train new staff.

Among the companies who have benefited from the service is bus company TrentBarton.

It helped the firm recruit driver David Salt, who completed a course with Derby Adult Learning and progressed onto employment with trentbarton.

David said: “I was saw the information in the library in Derby. I spoke with my work coach, and she recommended the course to become a bus driver.

“She thought I had the skills; I had a driving licence and enjoy working with people.

“I had been unemployed for two years – and this seemed like a great opportunity after lockdown. I had done warehouse work before but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next.

“I had been on numerous courses before, with no success or outcome. This course had direction – and an outcome.”

The support offered by the city council includes the brokerage service, which involves connecting employers to funded training provision such as sector work-based academy programmes.

It also helps firms widen their reach and diversify their applicant pool.
And it provides apprenticeship support, including the transfer of the city council’s Apprenticeship Levy.

To find out more about the services offered and how the city council can help support your recruitment needs call 01332 956989 or e-mail employmentandSkills@derby.gov.uk.