Senior Staff Writer
22 March 2023
| | 2 min readA new employment partnership for the city
Hundreds more people will be helped to find work in Newcastle through a new employment partnership for the city.
The new partnership will draw on a whole wealth of expertise from different sectors to give better access to good quality jobs and more chances to succeed regardless of a person’s situation.
Newcastle City Council, including the Skills Hub and Newcastle City Learning will work together with DWP (Department of Work and Pensions), National Careers Service, other local training providers and community organisations to ensure everyone who is looking for a job in Newcastle will receive the best support available, and employers in the city will have access to a large selection of suitable candidates.
Newcastle Futures, an organisation that since 2007 have helped over 8000 people in the city into employment, will become part of the council and their invaluable experience will be at the heart of this partnership, which is supported by the North of Tyne Combined Authority.
The council, alongside partners, recently launched its Inclusive Economic Strategy for Newcastle, setting out a shared vision for a more inclusive and green local economy, and the key actions that it will take to deliver this. This new employment partnership will play an integral role in this, making sure people who live in the city are part of its success at every level by offering unrivalled access to jobs and apprenticeships and providing the skills they need. This will help to drive Newcastle’s economic transformation and reduce the inequalities that can hold the city and its people back.
Cllr Alex Hay, Cabinet Member of a Resilient City, Newcastle City Council said: “Two weeks ago, we launched our Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy to kick start whole-city action that will collectively grow our local economy to benefit everyone, regardless of where in the city they live.
“So, it is very fitting that I am now launching this new partnership as we know employment and employability are at the heart of our vision for inclusive economic growth.
“We have achieved considerable successes to date with our key partners - our college, universities, hospitals and health trusts, our businesses, and our voluntary and community sector organisations, but we must continue to grow, and we need to do more to ensure all of our residents and businesses have the opportunity to prosper and thrive.
“I firmly believe that this new partnership will allow us to do this - by investing and supporting skills development, and apprenticeships, ensuring people are ready to contribute to and benefit from the opportunities we create.
“I am delighted that Heather Lee will be the chair of the partnership. She was part of our brilliant Newcastle Futures Board and I’d like to take a moment to recognise the outstanding contribution that Futures made to employability in the city. The team achieved so much in their 14 years and we’re looking forward to continuing the success.”
Heather Lee, independent inaugural chair of the new partnership said: “Everyone involved in this new partnership shares the same ambition – to improve the lives of the people in this city by providing access to employment and giving them the opportunity to be part of Newcastle’s success.
“Newcastle City Council may be leading this new partnership, but all partners will play an equal role in achieving its goals and making it a success.
“That’s why I was so delighted to see so many partners at the launch event and am very much looking forward to us all working closer together in the future.”
This new partnership approach will mean that wherever anyone goes for this support, they will receive the best information available and be put on the path that most suits their needs – a ‘no wrong door’ approach. It is also completely free, with no hidden costs.
The new partnership will soon have its own website, but in the meantime to get help to find work or help to recruit, visit the Skills Hub website at www.skillshubnewcastle.co.uk, email skillshub@newcastle.gov.uk or call 0191 277 4125.
We have achieved considerable successes to date with our key partners - our college, universities, hospitals and health trusts, our businesses, and our voluntary and community sector organisations, but we must continue to grow, and we need to do more to ensure all of our residents and businesses have the opportunity to prosper and thrive.
Cllr Alex Hay
Cabinet Member for a Resilient City
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