UKSPF People and Skills
No longer active UKSPF People and Skills provided support to residents to find employment that works for them.
The programme aimed to reduce levels of economic inactivity through bespoke support tailored to local needs, and was delivered by employment brokerage services in each of our boroughs.
The programme looked at boosting core skills and supporting adults with no or low-level qualifications to upskill and get into work.
Alongside this, specialised support was available to equip people with the skills, insights and understanding they needed to manage their health and well-being. The focus was to make people feel included and successful in establishing new habits and developing life-long well-being practices.
26,000
part of our employment support portfolio that has helped over 26,000 people
1,300+
over 1,300 people helped through UKSPF in Local London
Who did UKSPF People and Skills help?
Many of the people the programme intended to help had mental or physical health issues, or other circumstances preventing them from looking for work.
Since starting in January 2024, over 1,300 people were referred onto the programme, which was delivered by our member boroughs’ employment brokerage services.
What difference did UKSPF make in our boroughs?
As a result of the commitment of teams in our boroughs, the programme helped people who were not looking for work to consider themselves ready or closer to seeking employment.
- 55% of people on the programme actively started job searching.
- 26% reported an increase employability skills.
- 13% of people have gone on to successfully find employment.
- Work Redbridge was the first borough to support more people than it expected through the programme. Congratulations!
Charlie's story: more than a job
Charlie*, a young care leaver recently moved to Havering was referred to Havering Works from the Leaving Care Team. Through the UKSPF programme, Havering Works helped him completed his L1 and L2 in bricklaying, and gain his CSCS card. With no relevant work experience, or connections, Havering Works supported Charlie to create a sector-specific CV, they put him in contact with local employers and helped him register for apprenticeships.
With the support of Havering Works and a local college, Charlie secured an apprenticeship. After a successful work trial, Charlie’s employer decided he was more advanced than an apprentice and offered him a full-time role, subject to him being able to purchase a starter tool kit. The UKSPF grant enabled Havering Works to purchase the required tools and now Charlie is now a full time ‘Bricklaying Improver’. Charlie commented “This is more than a job, this is a career”.
Nina's story: feeling part of the community
Nina*, an Afghan refugee and now Waltham Forest resident, was supported to attend English language classes and with help from the team at Waltham Forest has secured employment at the Forest Cinema.
I really felt lost until I received the support
She said “The team have been incredibly helpful and I am so grateful for the support I received. I really felt lost until I received the support from Waltham Forest Council and I now feel like I am part of the community.”
*names changed
Who delivered UKSPF People and Skills?
Our boroughs' employment services delivered the support locally. Below is a list of the services that delivered UKSPF People and Skills support:
- Barking and Dagenham – B&D Works (formerly Job Shop)
- Bexley – BBE (Bexley Business and Employment)
- Bromley – Good Work Bromley Exchange at LSEC (London South East College)
- Enfield – STEPS (Skills Training Employment Pillar)
- Greenwich – GGLaB (Greenwich Local Labour & Business)
- Havering – Havering Works
- Newham – Our Newham Works
- Redbridge – Work Redbridge
- Waltham Forest – Waltham Forest Jobs
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
