This Employment Specialist post sits within the Connect to Work programme in Portsmouth City Council's Employment, Learning and Skills service, which supports residents with barriers to work. The holder manages a caseload, builds personal action plans, and supports people into paid work and to keep it, while developing relationships with local employers and generating referrals. The role uses a high-fidelity model with training provided and is office-based five days a week. Visa sponsorship is not offered, and a basic DBS check is required.
What the job involves
- Manage a caseload of participants
- Give person-centred advice and guidance to help participants find sustainable paid work
- Undertake vocational assessments and develop action plans with participants
- Monitor and review participants' progress before and after they start work
- Provide job retention support to people at risk of losing their employment
- Build positive relationships with local employers
- Identify and negotiate suitable employment opportunities
- Engage with the local community to generate referrals to the programme
- Visit employers regularly and provide in-work support
- Occasionally accompany participants to interviews
Skills & knowledge
- Employer engagement skills, including identifying and negotiating suitable job opportunities
- Managing a caseload, vocational assessments and action plans
- Monitoring and reviewing progress before and after a participant starts work
- Providing job retention support to people at risk of losing work
- Organisation: prioritising workload, meeting deadlines and working towards targets
- IT skills in customer databases, Word, Excel and Teams
Checks & eligibility
- Basic DBS check before any offer of employment
- Right to work in the UK
Other
- Working on own initiative and as part of a team
- Commitment to equality, diversity and providing an inclusive service
- Able to work from the office five days a week
Nice to have
- Experience within an employment, recruitment or training environment
- Relevant IAG, employment support, coaching or mentoring qualifications
- Willingness to work towards relevant qualifications
- Driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel
Employment Specialist Connect to Work in Sunderland employer: Portsmouth
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