Times Higher Education Award for The Works

29 Nov 2013

The University initiative which helps jobseekers in neighbouring areas to improve their skills and employment prospects has been recognised as the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community in the THE Awards 2013.

As one of the largest universities in the UK, Manchester is a huge employer in the North West, but it is also close to some of the most deprived parts of the region. With this in mind, and a commitment to social responsibility, the university set out to use its influence to change the lives of local people for the better.

The Works project, which was developed by the Directorate of Human Resources, offers jobseekers in areas neighbouring the university, such as Moss Side and Hulme, help to improve their skills and, crucially, employment opportunities. This second goal has been achieved through a partnership with other large local employers, including Royal Mail, Barclays and Manchester Metropolitan University, that ensures that a number of jobs at the university and beyond are ring-fenced for local people.

As a result, since March 2011 more than 3,600 people have benefited from the support of The Works, which now runs from three different sites, and the 1,000th local unemployed person to find a job through the project was announced this April.

Sir Deian Hopkin, president of the National Library of Wales and one of the judges, called the programme “unique” for its direct method of helping unemployed people.

“Working on three sites in the community, the programme offers a one-stop shop: trained staff help local people to search for jobs, prepare their applications and rehearse interviews, and a range of training and educational programmes, including literacy and numeracy, are provided in order to equip people for work,” he said.