Who we are

The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) is the membership body for the employment support sector.  Established in 2005, we campaign for and support the delivery of ever better services for the nation's jobseekers and learners.  

ERSA's membership deliver, or have an interest in the delivery, of the whole spectrum of employment related services. The scope of their collective reach includes skills provision, self-employment, offender related services, youth employment services, welfare reform and disability-related issues, as well as the design and delivery of employment programmes, however they are funded or commissioned.

Our membership spans the private, voluntary and public sectors and it is this diversity that gives us the authority to speak.  ERSA’s members range from corporates through to small specialist charities operating in their local communities and include housing associations and local authorities. 

What we do

ERSA's objectives are simple. They are to:

• Drive understanding of employment support as a ‘national good’, essential for current and future jobseekers, employers and the health of the economy and communities. 
• Work with commissioners and funders at all levels to invest in and design the best possible services against an ever changing backdrop.
• Influence the wider policy environment to ensure that it supports people in their journey to enter and progress in work
• Support and challenge the sector and so increase skills, knowledge and effectiveness.

As part of this, ERSA undertakes research into good practice, campaigns for policy changes that will help both the sector and jobseekers and supports a range of initiatives aimed at driving up standards of delivery.  This includes the set up of the Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP). 

Where we operate

ERSA is a UK-wide organisation.  In addition to being strong in Westminster, ERSA operates strong networks in Scotland, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, London and wherever members are in the UK. 

ERSA services

ERSA provides a wide range of services for members, including regular information bulletins, contract opportunities and a wide range of specialist forums and events. You can find out more about ERSA membership here.

ERSA Online 

ERSA's answer to the COVID-19 lockdown, the ERSA face to face forum, network, conferences and roundtables have taken place online since April 2020 and will continue until we can meet in person again. In 2020, ERSA held 86 online events to support its membership and opening up many of these to support the wider employability community. You can view some of the events on ERSA's You Tube Channel. 

Current campaigns and activities

The ERSA UKSPF Working Group
Please email policy@ersa.org.uk if you would like to join this group detailing your interest and other information that mght be helpful. 

DWP's Commercial Agreement for Employment and Health Related Services (CAEHRS)

Restart Programme

Kickstart Community Forum

The ERSA Employability Awards  - The awards open on 1 February 2021
The industry awards aim to shine a light on the stars of the employaiblity sector. The awards are free to enter, https://ersa.org.uk/ERSAAwards20

Employability Day is a UK wide campaign to champion and promote the organisations involved in good employment support.
SAVE THE DATE 30 APRIL

ERSA is Building Partnerships 

Join ERSA today