ERSA announces Employability Awards finalists

Today (10 May), ERSA announced the finalists of the 2017 Employability Awards, sponsored by Clarion Housing Group. The list of finalists includes a wide variety of organisation and individuals unified by the exceptional service and support they deliver to help people towards, into and within employment.

The national Employability Awards, now in their fifth year, aims to showcase and champion best practice from across the employment support sector. Covering ten award categories, the awards demonstrate the breadth of work involved in supporting people into work, whether that’s the adviser working one to one with the jobseeker to build their confidence, to the organisations pioneering innovative methods of supporting young people find their career path, through to the employers who go that extra mile by adapting their practices to support jobseekers with greater needs.

This year the awards were judged by a member of the Work and Pensions Committee in the last Parliament, Heidi Allen MP; Nick Butler, Head of Work programme Performance at the Department for Work and Pensions; Laura Gardiner, Senior Research and Policy Analyst, the Resolution Foundation; and last year’s winner of the Adviser of the Year Award, Keith Tottingham. The winners of the Employability Awards will be announced at a special ceremony held in London on 29 June.

Kirsty McHugh, ERSA’s Chief Executive, said:

“This year’s award submissions demonstrate the extraordinary achievements of individuals and organisations across the sector and our judges had an unenviable task shortlisting the best of the best in each category. Common to every nomination is the passion and commitment they show to supporting employability and transforming lives, communities and businesses. These awards celebrate and champion the best of the work that goes on at the frontline every day in the sector.”

The full list of finalists is:

Youth Employment
“Recognising an employment services provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in delivering employment services for young adults.”

Disability and Health Employment
“Recognising an employment services provider who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in supporting jobseekers with disabilities and health conditions to achieve sustained employment.”

Partner of the Year
“Recognising excellence as a delivery partner in the field of employment support”

Innovation
“Recognising a provider who has pioneered innovative approaches and solutions within the employment support market.”

Large Employer of the Year
“Recognising a large employer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in creating opportunities for disadvantaged and long-term unemployed jobseekers.”

SME of the Year
Recognising a small or medium employer who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in creating opportunities for disadvantaged and long-term unemployed jobseekers.”

Team of the Year
“Recognising a team of frontline staff which has demonstrated outstanding commitment in meeting and exceeding the delivery aims of an employment provider.”

Adviser of the Year
“Recognising an employment adviser who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in a frontline role.”

Significant Achievement
“Recognising a specific jobseeker who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to overcoming barriers to enter and maintain work.”

Lifetime Achievement
“Recognising an exceptional individual who has dedicated a significant part of their career to the employment related services sector and has made a notable impact on the wider sector. This award does not have a shortlist and the winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in June.”

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