More people who are in employment, education and training
Salford has a large and growing local economy providing a significant volume of local employment opportunities (over 150,000) on the doorstep for Salford residents.
In the past five years, this has included the creation of 15,000 jobs in the city across a variety of sectors most notably in tech and digital; business, professional and financial services; construction; health and logistics.
The growth in the city and wider city region provides huge opportunity for Salford residents, but despite this, many residents are still facing major challenges to access and progress in training and employment. Indeed some young people and adults face multiple barriers to work linked to issues such as skills, health, disability, language, debt, caring responsibilities, childcare, housing, and transport.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant local economic impact. Unemployment numbers and claims for Universal Credit have both doubled since March 2020. Although there has been some recent improvements, rates are still considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels, with 10,405 (6%) Salford residents unemployed and 30,971 claiming Universal Credit (as at December 2021).
The impact of the pandemic has been particularly severe for young people, with 1,695 Salford residents aged 18-24 now claiming unemployment related benefits and many more ‘hidden’ young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) but outside the benefits system.
Salford also has the highest proportion of young people aged 16-17 not in education, employment or training (NEET) in Greater Manchester and one of the highest rates nationally.
The Salford Employment and Skills Strategy (and supporting Salford NEET Reduction Strategy) provides the framework for co-ordinated, partnership activity to improve the chances, opportunities and aspirations of the people of Salford and their economic prosperity. This Strategy is currently being reviewed and a refreshed version will be available from late 2022.
There are a variety of ways in which partners and employers can help to create and connect adults and young people furthest away from the labour market into jobs, training and further education:
- Advertise your vacancies through Salford recruitment channels and local recruitment services.
- Hold or participate in a local jobs and / or Salford recruitment event.
- Adopt inclusive and fair recruitment practices.
- Use recruitment methods that are appropriate to the role and the candidate, such as adaptable methods of communication and interview.
- Become a Disability Confidant advocate.
- Provide a work experience or placement opportunity (all ages).
- Become involved in a Traineeship programme for unemployed young people 16 -24.
- Recruit an apprentice.
- Work with schools and colleges by giving talks about your sector and journey, speaking to staff about how the curriculum links to the world of work, interview support or mentoring.
- Become a Schools Enterprise Advisor.
Further information is available through the following links:
Salford City Mayor’s Employment Standards Charter
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