New redundancy support partnership service launched
"The Redundancy Support Service is a great example of partnership working at its best...we hope as many people as possible, who need the service, will take advantage of the fantastic, free assistance on offer.”
A new partnership service has been launched to support staff and businesses affected by redundancy.
Just one of the consequences of Covid-19 has been the huge impact on business income and the knock-on effect of increased numbers of redundancies.
In response, Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council have joined forces with expert industry partners to form Coventry & Warwickshire Redundancy Support Service - open to both individuals and businesses.
Partners include:
- Department for Work & Pensions
- National Careers Service
- Skills Support for the Workforce
- Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub
- Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
- Coventry & Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust
- Federation of Small businesses
The service will support local businesses who are either considering redundancies, or have already made the decision. They will receive a tailored support package that meets the individual need of the business and its employees, with opportunities in coming weeks to attend workshops and download information packs.
While in some cases job losses might be inevitable, the service aims to engage with those businesses that are working through their options and where assistance may be helpful. From emergency funding and finance opportunities, to upskilling and staff retainment options, the C&W Redundancy Support Service will work with businesses to explore the options available and build action plans to become more sustainable and prevent job losses and company closures wherever possible.
Where redundancy is unavoidable, the service will be on hand to guide and support both individuals and businesses into their next venture, whether that be new employment, retraining or further education.
As part of this new collaboration, a new online portal will act as the front door and digital platform for the service: Coventry & Warwickshire Redundancy Support. The portal allows you to register as either a business, or an individual.
It’s designed to be the go-to place for redundancy support, including local employment opportunities. It will also link back to the employment and skills teams based at the Coventry City Council’s Employer Hub and the Warwickshire Skills Hub.
The C&W Redundancy Support Service team of local experts will be hosting monthly information and Q and A events tailored to either businesses, or individuals. If open events are not for you, confidential one-to-one sessions can be arranged on request.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle Cabinet member for Jobs and Regeneration said, “This partnership has a vital role to play for businesses and individuals who are facing an uncertain future. There no doubt that the impacts of the pandemic have been devastating for some, so this kind of individual, tailored support will be really important in helping people find new work.
“Between them, the partners working together in this new service, have a wide range of expertise which I’m sure will be welcomed by businesses at the moment.”
Cllr Kevin Maton, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “This is an important new service and I’m pleased part of the support will come in the form of providing skills and training. We know how important it will be for people to have the opportunity to learn new skills so they have the best chance of re-joining the job market or even starting up a new business.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “The economic impact of Covid-19 is enormous and right from the start, we understood that a coordinated approach across the county was key. The Redundancy Support Service is a great example of partnership working at its best. This new service is designed to support local businesses and individuals through these turbulent times, as they make difficult decisions in the months, possibly years, to come. We hope as many people as possible, who need the service, will take advantage of the fantastic, free assistance on offer.”
To view full details of the Coventry and Warwickshire Redundancy support services please visit here.