Employment Support Gets a Boost in Sheffield

• The Growth Company is enhancing its Pathways to Work provision to include specific support for Ukrainians.
• The initiative aims to reduce language and cultural barriers, improving job prospects for participants.
• Building on the success of United for Ukraine, the programme will deliver personalised guidance across Sheffield.

A new initiative is set to support Ukrainian refugees across Sheffield.

Working with Sheffield City Council, the Growth Company is expanding its employment support offer through the Pathways to Work programme.

Pathways to Work provides personalised employment guidance tailored to individual needs, helping people to take their next steps towards work.

From October, the programme will include specialised support for Ukrainians living in the Steel City. Delivered in Ukrainian by an experienced team, the enhanced support aims to break down language and cultural barriers, increasing the likelihood that participants will find and succeed in work. 

This new strand builds on the success of United for Ukraine, a national initiative launched in March 2022 that has already supported over 7,000 Ukrainian refugees up and down the UK. In Sheffield alone, more than 70 Ukrainians have benefited from the team’s advice and guidance.

Indeed, the impact of United for Ukraine has not gone unnoticed. In 2023, it was recognised with the Employment & Skills Award at the Sheffield Community Awards, celebrating its outstanding contribution to refugee support and employment services.

The Growth Company’s Partnership and Integration Manager, Tim Jeffrey, said: “We’ve delivered employment and skills support across Sheffield and South Yorkshire for many years, and we’ve built strong relationships with the Ukrainian community both locally and nationally.

“This new initiative is a natural extension of our work, bringing together our regional expertise and our experience supporting refugees to help more people, and ultimately, to improve employment outcomes.

“The team are looking forward to getting started and making a difference.”

Pathways To Work

Economically inactive residents who are aged 16 or over, live in Sheffield, and have the right to live and work in the UK are eligible to join Pathways to Work.

Keyworkers can also work with unemployed residents who are at risk of social exclusion and would benefit from additional community-based support.

Visit our dedicated web page or email pathways[at]gcemployment.uk for more information.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across the North of England and beyond.

Contact us today to find out more.