Local Employment Partnership

The LEP is a jobs pledge offering positions to jobseekers within the local community who may be finding it difficult to return to work.

Aspire has already shown their commitment to the jobs pledge by employing Kevin Parton (25) from Cross Heath on a 2 year Business Administration Apprenticeship, with PM Training, after he completed a three week work trial. A work trial is one of the options available to employers through LEPs which gives them a chance to try a potential employee in the job on offer for a period of time, whilst not affecting the jobseekers benefits but enabling an employer to see if that person is suitable and capable to undertake the role.

Kevin Parton (25) was homeless living at the local YMCA when Jobcentre Plus adviser Jackie Hall from Hanley helped him secure his work trial with Aspire said; “The support I’ve received from Jobcentre Plus and Aspire has helped turn my life around. I was unsure if I would better of working but Jackie my personal adviser showed me through a better off calculation that I would be able to support myself and directed me to other in work benefits I would be entitled to such as Housing Benefit. I have now moved in to a flat of my own. The work trial was great it gave me the chance to show Aspire what I was capable of and gave me the confidence in my own ability to do the job. I urge anyone who has the opportunity to start an apprenticeship not to hesitate.

Sinéad Butters, Chief Executive at the Aspire Group said: “As part of our commitment to providing employment opportunities for local people, we are working with the government’s Local Employment Partnership scheme.

It’s fantastic to see that Kevin is determined to get his career started and work hard to support himself - this opportunity has been a life changing experience for him.

And, I am delighted that we are working with local talented people to tackle long-term unemployment in the area.”

Julie Carruthers Jobcentre Plus District Manager Staffordshire said: “The aim of the partnership is to help disadvantaged jobseekers get in to work. Aspire have already experience the business benefits of becoming a LEP employer and understand how it gives them access to people who are prepared, ready to work and with the right training and help can be an asset to the company. It provides people who have previously been on benefits the chance to can get back to work that may not otherwise have had. LEP is not just good news for employers but good news for the local community... Kevin Parton is living proof of how LEPs can work in practise”