Seetec Pluss opens its doors to help close employability gaps

Employment support specialist Seetec Pluss is shining the spotlight on its work to help people from all walks of life, including those with disadvantages, to enter and progress in the world of work.

To mark the fourth national Employability Day, Seetec Pluss’ Swindon centre hosted Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson (pictured with customers and staff), to show how it works to support individuals who face challenges entering employment.

Seetec Pluss also hosted ‘drop in’ events at its centres in Yeovil, Barnstaple, Bristol, Torbay, Plymouth, Swindon, Truro and Birkenhead to showcase employability programmes, the participants Seetec Pluss supports and the impact employment can have on their lives and local communities.

The theme of 2019’s Employability Day, coordinated by the Employment Related Services Association (ERSA), was ‘Closing the gaps’, highlighting the efforts of organisations which help to close employment gaps.

It comes at a time when latest figures show that just over half of those with disabilities are in employment, compared with four out of five of those without disabilities. Only six per cent of people with a learning disability are in employment.

More than three million people of working age with disabilities are economically inactive, neither in work nor looking for work.

Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said: “It’s been a privilege to see first-hand the great work Seetec Pluss are undertaking in my hometown of Swindon, helping disadvantaged people into the workforce and benefiting local business.

“We’ve made great progress with nearly 950,000 more disabled people in work than five years ago – but we want to go further, and we will work with employers in Swindon and across the South West to give every disabled person who wants to work the opportunity of a fulfilling career.”

Paul Hughes, Seetec Pluss Operations Director, said: “We work closely with employers to develop bespoke programmes which help new entrants to take their first steps in the workplace and support those in employment to progress to the next level. We also run courses such as digital skills to help those seeking employment to develop the workplace skills employers are looking for.

“We aim to create new opportunities to improve people’s lives by focusing on their strengths and raising aspirations while helping them to overcome their barriers. We work closely with employers, large and small to ensure they understand the benefits our customers bring to the workplace.”

Pluss, which became part of the Seetec Group earlier this year, helped 8,000 people move towards and into work last year.

Employability Day is the UK’s largest celebration for organisations supporting people into work and an opportunity to increase understanding and awareness of the role they undertake.