Work Solutions is a not-for-profit company that delivers services to meet the skills and employment needs of people and their employers whilst improving the prosperity of the regional economies in which we operate.

With over 250 staff working across Greater Manchester and beyond, and an annual turnover in excess of £14m and growing, Work Solutions is a major provider of employment, recruitment and skills services to employers, local people, and Government.

How we work

We work with partners in the public, private, community and voluntary sectors to deliver services that help some of the most disaffected groups in society improve skills and find sustainable employment.

We offer a flexible, responsive and rapid approach to the set up and delivery of our services. With delivery sites across Greater Manchester and East Lancashire - 55% of which are based in the 10% most deprived wards in England - we stay close to our customers and act as a “high-street partner” to our employers.

We make our performance offers a reality through our well-developed links with employers. As a part of the Economic Solutions Group, we have detailed databases with direct access to over 75,000 business in Greater Manchester and formal arrangements with the 5,000+ Chamber members in Greater Manchester.

Supporting Job Seekers

To date, Work Solutions has helped over 40,000 unemployed people find a job. Whether they’ve been long-term unemployed, had problems with drug and alcohol, have been in prison, been made redundant or have never worked before, we’ve found jobs to suit them. Our work helps job seekers maximise their potential and employers make the most of their staff, whilst satisfying the requirements of our funding partners.

Supporting Business

Every year over 8,000 employers use our services to develop their businesses and their workforce, from blue-chip nationals to small and medium-sized businesses to those in the public sector.

Our track record

Our success has been built on a strong performance culture at every level.

As a not-for-profit organisation we have a “double bottom-line” - social as well as financial. Any money we make is re-invested in our services and we are clear that our goals are only achievable by running our business well.

We have a proven track record of success in delivering employment, learning and training programmes to multiple groups with multiple barriers to work:

• 28% of customers on our Pathways to Work contract moved into employment, exceeding the national average for provider-led PTW districts by over 60%. Two-thirds of those who secured a job remained in work for over 6 months
• 71% of people who enrol on our Pre-recruitment programmes gain employment. 85% of those remain in work for over 6 months
• Two thirds of Lone Parents and ESA claimants who started on a Work Solutions Intermediate Labour Market programme found permanent work after 13 weeks on placement
• We secured a work placement for over 4000 young JSA claimants under the Future Jobs Fund. 42% have progressed into employment, education or training
• Our specialist Drug and Alcohol services have helped 1 in 3 service users to either move into employment, gain a qualification, or a volunteer position
• We deliver the Intensive Alternative to Custody pilot in Greater Manchester in partnership with GM Probation Trust and Partners of Prisoners. In the current year 45% of offenders who started the programme have entered employment
• Our pre-entry level ESOL and Basic Skills provision moved one in four customers into employment

Work Solutions is the trading name of Employment and Regeneration Partnership Limited.