ERSA has today unveiled the finalists for its 2014 Employability Awards, at its AGM held in London.
The 2014 ERSA Employability Awards, sponsored by Shaw Trust, attracted over 180 entries from across the UK. The award entries were judged by Matt Thurston from the Department of Work and Pensions; Michael Buchanan from the BBC; and Richard Harries from the thinktank, Reform. The winners will be announced at a special ceremony, attended by the Minster of State for Employment, Esther McVey on the 2nd June.
Kirsty McHugh, Chief Executive of ERSA, said:
“We are delighted that the awards have once again attracted so many entries and from an increasingly diverse array of organisations. The judges had an extremely hard task, picking a shortlist out of such high quality and in many cases, extremely moving entries. However, they have done a sterling job and the shortlisted entries really do showcase the exceptional work taking place in the sector. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the awards night to celebrate this together.”
The full list of finalists is as follows:
Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award (sponsored by A4e)
• Employment Links Partnership nominated by G4S
• Renaisi nominated by Reed in Partnership
• Shaw Trust nominated by G4S
• Wheatsheaf Trust nominated by A4e
The Institute of Employability Professionals (IEP) Professionalisation Award
• Remploy
• Seetec
Innovation Award (sponsored by PublicCo)
• A4e Early Service Leaver (ESL) Resettlement
• Belina Consulting
• A4e Birmingham Healthcare Technician’s Course
• Pluss Future Clean®
Large Employer of the Year Award (sponsored by Pluss)
• Greggs nominated by Imagematch Social Enterprise CIC
• Iceland nominated by Intraining
• Marks & Spencer nominated by Remploy
• Sainsbury’s nominated by Avanta & Groundwork Wakefield (Scarborough Jobmatch)
Small or Medium Employer of the Year Award (sponsored by the Wise Group)
• Eclipse Sprayers nominated by The Salvation Army
• Horizon Finance nominated by Work Solutions
• Moulded Fibre Products nominated by G4S
• Oliver’s Mill nominated by Tomorrow’s People
• The Kent Potato Company nominated by RBLI
Youth Employment Award (sponsored by ABC Awards)
• Groundwork Hertfordshire
• Pertemps People Development Group
• TFL & London Work Programme Prime Providers
Disability Employment Award (sponsored by Ingeus)
• Elite Supported Employment Agency Ltd
• Employment and Disability Service (EADS)
• Pluss
• Shaw Trust Vocational Rehabilitation
Advisor of the Year Award (sponsored by Alderwood)
• Justine Hammond nominated by Ingeus
• Paddy Williams nominated by Enham Trust
• Sam Price nominated by Avanta
• Val Wintrup nominated by G4S
Significant Achievement Award (sponsored by Duality Training)
• Chris Mowatt nominated by Enham Trust
• Jamie MacGregor nominated by TBG Learning & Rehab Jobfit
• Rhiannon Rees – Jones nominated by EADS
• Rory nominated by A4e
This year there are ten award categories, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Seetec. The Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises 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 industry, was judged by a separate panel of industry experts: Jacquie Smallwood, ERSA Chair and Fran Parry, Institute of Employability Professionals, Chair, Cheryl Cullen who represented the 2013 Supply Chain Partner Award winner, Clarion; and Lauren Bailey-Rhodes 2013 winner of the Advisor of the Year Award. There is no shortlist in this category.
Ends
Press enquiries should be directed to Anna Robin 07912 569 449 /anna.robin@ersa.org.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) is the sector body for organisations delivering or with an interest in employment related services – sometimes called welfare to work.
2. ERSA members span the private, voluntary and public sector, including a diverse range of organisations from small specialist charities operating in their local communities to housing associations and local councils.
3. The ERSA Employability Awards were inaugurated in 2013. The Awards are open to member and non-members of ERSA, across the spectrum of employment support.
4. The winners of the 2013 ERSA Employability Awards can be found here.
