Leaders join forces to boost employment in the North

Eleven local enterprise partnerships have joined forces to launch a new website designed to support people in the North who have lost their job as a result of the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employment, apprenticeships, and training courses are among the opportunities available on the free platform.

The NP11 - a group of all 11 northern local enterprise partnerships – has partnered with software specialist PDMS, to launch a pilot innovative online service called SignedUp Skills. The pilot will run until the end of 2020, with the aim that if successful, it could develop into a long-term initiative.

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The website aims to make it easier for those across the North, who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, to find new employment and training opportunities in their local area. It hopes to be a comprehensive resource for accessing real-time vacancies, training courses, and apprenticeships across the region, as well as finding opportunities from throughout the UK.

More than just a traditional online jobs board, the service will provide users with insights into their region’s growing industries and identify the skills and training most in demand in their communities. This will include information and signposting towards industries where there is particular demand and important regional sectors.

Careers guidance, information, and advice will also be provided on the website.

Roger Marsh OBE DL, chairman of the NP11 and Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “With many of our communities throughout the North now under Tier 2 or Tier 3 government restrictions, many people and businesses find themselves facing an uncertain economic future.

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“Now more than ever, to achieve a confident North with the skills it needs to thrive, we must work across sectors to build a culture of progression and development in our business that helps both companies and individuals flourish.

“The North will be integral to the future economic recovery and prosperity of the nation. However, our region’s recovery can only be as strong as the economic strength and security of the people living here.”

He added: “To deliver extraordinary economic and social transformation, we must not only invest in the technology and the skills for today, but also for the future.

“Working together with LEPs, combined authorities, Mayors and civic leaders to address the skills gap, our ambition is to create a careers platform for the whole of the North, which will guide people through these difficult times and help connect them with prospective job opportunities.”

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Chris Gledhill, managing director of PDMS, added: “Throughout the pandemic, technology has allowed us to stay connected with family, friends, and colleagues. As we enter a new phase of this crisis, we can draw upon our software expertise to now connect people with employment and training opportunities.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with the NP11 in the development of this pilot platform.”

Access the SignedUp Skills service by visiting https://www.np11.org.uk/2020/10/signedup-skills-programme/

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