Early success for Thirteen Group in new employability pilot in Stockton

Jobs Plus, which has demonstrated incredible success in the USA since its launch in the 1990s, combines a community-led employment service with financial and wellbeing advice to support individuals into employment.  

The pilot has been championed by Communities that Work, which gained support from its members and the Department of Work and Pensions to test the Jobs Plus pilot with lead organisation, the Learning and Work Institute.  

The Jobs Plus service puts a key focus on those living in the Primrose Hill and Wrensfield areas of Stockton.  

Susan Borrow, care and support manager (contracts), said: “We are delighted to be working with the Learning and Work Institute on the Jobs Plus pilot.  

“We have an excellent track record of delivering employability services and we’re excited to be bringing the Jobs Plus model to Stockton and supporting residents to realise their full potential. We’ve seen some great outcomes for those accessing the service already.”   

The Jobs Plus model has three key components which we have introduced to the pilot area this summer. These include a community hub based at our Stockton Touchpoint store to provide a one-stop-shop for local residents looking for work, a saturation approach to boost engagement in employment support, and financial incentives such as a back to work bonus.   

We have already supported, or are in the process of supporting, 16 residents within the pilot areas, with one resident already having benefited from the financial incentives.  

Lyndsey Henry, employability caseworker, explained: “Following a door knocking exercise, I began working with a lady in Primrose Hill who wanted some support in finding employment.”  

The customer attended weekly appointments at Thirteen’s Touchpoint store in Stockton, the co-social location base for the Jobs Plus pilot, and was supported with job searching, interview preparation, and given help with accessing suitable interview clothing. 

Lyndsey continued: “The customer was successful in gaining a corporate position and through the Jobs Plus model, we have been able to provide financial support in order to provide her with a work wardrobe.   

“She has now been employed for five weeks and is looking forward to receiving her £400 incentive for sustaining her employment for eight weeks.”  

Unlike other employability programmes, the Jobs Plus model is open to both those who are currently unemployed, as well as those who are in employment who may be seeking better paid work or a second job.   

Susan added: “There are high levels of unemployment in our chosen operating areas, with some parts of Primrose Hill sitting in the top 10 per cent of most deprived areas in the country.    

“Jobs Plus gives us the opportunity to target a small area, gain valuable insights and make a difference in our community, and we look forward to sharing the results later in 2025.”  

The current pilot is set to run until March 2025, with a potential extension thereafter. More details about the service can be found on the Jobs Plus webpage.