Ambitious plans to get the North working welcomed by the CIPD and the region’s Metro Mayors

New trailblazer schemes that will give local authorities in the North of England the power and funding to get more people into work has been welcomed by the CIPD and the North’s Metro Mayors, who share a commitment of helping to create better quality jobs.

Announced as part of the UK Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ plans, the ‘inactivity trailblazer’ will see £125 million invested in eight areas*, including Greater Manchester, Liverpool city-region, Tees Valley and West Yorkshire. This funding will enable local authorities to create their own local plans to help people access health and skills support, so they can get back into paid employment.

The CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, has long supported Metro Mayors in Greater Manchester, Liverpool city-region, Tees Valley and West Yorkshire with creating and developing their Good and Fair Work Charters. These aim to encourage and support employers to create better quality jobs and fair working practices.

This is particularly important if the mayors are to achieve their collective ambition of making the North the ‘go to’ place for investment and employment, with more quality jobs on offer.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester said:

“For people to be working well, they have to be living well - and the current job support system cannot do that with a narrow, box-ticking focus.

“Greater Manchester has already got a proven track record of helping people back into work. Our focus is on names and not numbers, and on providing a more empowering, more supportive experience within the community.

“Our trailblazing Live Well plan will enable us to build on strong foundations so we can tackle the root causes of inequality and help more people get good jobs here in our city-region.”

Under the new ‘Get Britian Working’ plans, a review is also planned to see how employers can recruit and retain employees with health conditions, mobility issues and those returning to work after periods of sickness or longer-term absence.

Daphne Doody-Green, UK Market Director, CIPD commented:

“The Government’s focus on particular groups – including those that are disadvantaged – and providing more joined up local support will be invaluable to helping more people get into paid employment. 

“As the CIPD, we will be engaging with our Northern members in the people profession to inform this important review and ensure that those that are able to work, can find work that also works for them.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Chair of the UK Mayors Group, added:

“Over 100,000 people in our great region are being held back by a treatable or preventable health condition, and every single one of them deserves a fair chance to flourish.
 
“We are transforming how public services are delivered through our innovative West Yorkshire model, which joins up health, skills and work to ensure that everyone can get the support they need to succeed.
 
“To grow our economy, we must unleash the potential of everyone in it, and mayors across the country stand ready to build a healthier, wealthier nation through strong local partnerships.”

Youth trailblazers

Under the ‘Get Britain Working Plans’ Liverpool and Tees Valley will also become ‘Youth Guarantee trailblazer’ city-regions, receiving funding to get young people aged 18-21 - who are Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) – into employment or training. 

Young people in Liverpool will benefit from a £5m grant. The region will test new ways of supporting young people into employment or training by bringing together and enhancing existing programmes in partnership with local areas.

Steve Rotherham, Mayor of the Liverpool City-Region commented:

“This Youth Guarantee Trailblazer could be a real game-changer for young people in our region. Too often, young people are stopped from reaching their full potential, not by a lack of talent but a lack of opportunity. This £5m funding will give us the tools to try new and innovative ways to help those who need it most, making sure every young person can get on in life.”

In addition to these measures, the CIPD has called for a broader ambition from the government to make apprenticeships a more viable alternative to university for more young people and to improve vocational pathways into employment.