A NEW employment scheme is being launched in Devon to help support almost 6,000 people into work over the next five years.

The Connect to Work programme, backed by £22.7 million from the UK Government’s Get Britain Working Programme, is being led and delivered by Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council to ensure support reflects local priorities and reaches the people who need it most.

It will improve access to employment, health and skills support and help reduce economic inactivity across the region and is designed to support disabled people, those with health conditions, and those facing other complex barriers, to move into paid sustainable employment.

Participants who take part in the voluntary initiative will be supported by a dedicated specialist employment adviser who will:

• Work with them to understand their career goals;

• Provide tailored support to participants based on their health and employment needs, and address specific barriers;

• Support people to talk with prospective employers, removing the need to go through complex application processes;

• Provide ongoing support to employers and participants after starting a job to ensure long-term success.

Connect to Work is due to go live in Plymouth this month (November), and will then be rolled out in Devon and Torbay in December.

The Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority retains a strategic role in the project, working to align activity with the wider ambitions of the Get Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Working Plan and strengthen coordination across the area.

Councillor Simon Clist, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Assets and Resources, said: ‘The Connect to Work programme is aiming to help people who could work but are currently being left behind through no fault of their own.

‘Their talent is being left untapped and they’re not being given the opportunity to realise their potential.

‘This scheme is looking to change that through the support on offer to not just help find work for people but to help them sustain their employment.

‘By investing in people we can help them achieve their ambitions. As well as the one-to-one support for participants, employers will also be supported to promote inclusive employment practices and job development’.

Devon County Council is the lead authority on the programme working in partnership with Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council.

Devon will deliver the programme through a combination of in-house expertise and commissioned services to ensure broad coverage and specialist support.

It’s aiming to support almost 3,000 people in the Devon County Council area through the programme.

Those wishing to access the programme in Devon can do so via existing Employment and Youth Hubs which are located across the authority area, with further centres due to open to provide greater geographical coverage and access.

They provide in-person support and information about different career options, jobs and learning opportunities to adults and young people in Devon.

Skilled advisors will help individuals to identify whether Connect to Work is right for them and provide support to access their nearest and most appropriate provider.

If Connect to Work is not the right choice, individuals will receive advice and guidance on a range of alternatives to help them progress into employment or further education and training.

For more information on how to access support, visit Devon County Council's Connect to Work webpages.