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Connect to Work

Connect to Work is a voluntary employment support programme launched by the UK Government as part of the Get Britain Working Strategy. It’s designed to help people who face barriers to employment - such as health conditions, disabilities, or specific disadvantages - find and stay in meaningful work.

Whether someone is unemployed or at risk of leaving their job, the programme offers up to 12 months of personalised, person centred, one-to-one support.

For jobseekers

Connect to Work:

  • Offers tailored, one-to-one help from Employment Specialists and Employment Support Officers who understand your unique challenges and strengths
  • Connects employment with health and skills support, working closely to understand needs and challenges and helping employers get the best from participants they employ
  • Gains access to training, upskilling opportunities, and local services that boost your confidence and employability.
  • Is shaped around your community’s needs.

For employers

Connect to Work:

  • Offers a wide pool of talented people who are often overlooked and get tailored local support
  • Saves time and the cost of recruitment and onboarding of suitable candidates
  • Help build a more inclusive and diverse workforce
  • Reach candidates who are highly motivated to work for your business
  • Improve retention and loyalty of employees.

Eligibility

  • People with disabilities or long-term health conditions
  • Offenders and ex-offenders
  • Carers and ex-carers
  • Homeless people
  • Armed Forces veterans and current Armed Forces personnel
  • People with drug or alcohol dependencies and history of dependency presenting a barrier to employment
  • Care experienced young people and care leavers
  • Refugees (resettled Afghans and people on the Ukrainian scheme)
  • Victims and survivors of domestic abuse
  • Young people involved in or at risk of serious violence
  • Victims of modern slavery.

Suitability

  • Aged 18+
  • Living in Kent or Medway
  • Motivated to find paid employment
  • Not on another DWP work programme
  • Not in employment or at risk of losing paid work.

Costs

There is no cost to take part - for participants, employers, or referrers.

Take part

To express your interest in Connect to Work or to refer someone you know, you can:

For more information visit The Education People website.